US President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on Sunday.
In a letter posted to X, Trump said he would stay on in office until the end of his term and would address the nation later this week about his decision, and also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.
Below are reactions from politicians, advocacy groups and other observers.
Donald Trump
“He’s the worst president in the history of our country. He’s going to be remembered as, by far, the worst president in the history of our country,” former President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with CNN minutes after Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. Trump also said it would be easier to beat Harris than to beat Biden, according to CNN.
President Joe Biden threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris after wrapping up his reelection campaign on Sunday. Political science professor Chris Galdieri reacts to Biden’s endorsement of Harris, while Republican strategist Chip Voelkel weighs in on how Harris fare against President Trump.
Barack Obama
“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most important presidents and a dear friend and partner to me. Today we were also reminded that he is a patriot of the highest order,” the former US president, whom Biden served as vice president, said in a statement.
Justin Trudeau
“I have known President Biden for many years. He is a great man and everything he does is driven by love for his country. As President, he has been a partner and a true friend to the Canadian people,” the Canadian prime minister said on social media.
Volodymyr Zelensky
“We will always be grateful to President Biden for his leadership,” the Ukrainian president said. “He supported our country at one of the most dramatic moments in our history. [Russian President Vladimir] “President Putin prevented our country from being occupied and has supported us throughout this terrible war.”
During talks in Paris, US President Joe Biden formally apologized to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for allowing a major US military aid package to be held up in Congress for months. Biden said the US remained fully behind Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Senator Chuck Schumer
“Joe Biden is not only a great president and a great legislative leader, he is also a truly incredible human being. Of course his decision was not easy, but he once again put our country, our party and our future first. Joe, today you showed what a true patriot and a great American you are,” the Senate Majority Leader, D-N.Y., said in a statement.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“I commend President Biden for stepping down from office. His weaknesses have been obvious to any unbiased observer from the beginning. This gradually worsening situation, and his abandonment of Democratic Party principles, is what motivated me to enter the race and give American voters a viable and powerful alternative to Donald Trump,” the independent presidential candidate said in a post on X.
Representative Nancy Pelosi
“President Joe Biden is a patriotic American who has always put country first. His vision, values and legacy of leadership make him one of the most important presidents in American history. We send our love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to make it come true. God has blessed America with the greatness and goodness of Joe Biden.”
US President Joe Biden has dropped out of the US presidential race and said he “fully supports” Vice President Kamala Harris, a move that came in part due to growing pressure from leading Democrats for Biden to step down, sparking strong backlash from members of his party.
Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton
“We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do everything we can to support her,” the former U.S. president, who lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and his wife said in a statement.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanick
“If Joe Biden cannot run for reelection, he is also both competent and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must resign immediately,” the chairman of the House Republican Conference said in a statement.
Kirsten Hillman
“President Biden is an experienced, thoughtful and committed leader. We have worked together on issues important to the United States and Canada, from economic security to climate action to assisting Ukraine, and the U.S.-Canada relationship has thrived under his leadership,” the U.S. ambassador to Canada said.
Canada’s U.S. Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman offers her thoughts on President Biden’s visit to Canada, while CBC’s Rosemary Barton and Alex Panetta analyze the big promises that came out of the visit and what could change for both countries as a result.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries
“America is a better place now because President Joe Biden has led us with intelligence, grace and dignity, and we are forever grateful,” House Democratic leader Judge Advocate General Gregory said in a statement.
Governor Gavin Newsom
“President Biden has been an extraordinary, historic president — a leader who fought hard for working people and delivered incredible results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most influential and selfless presidents,” the California Democratic governor wrote on X.
Donald Trump Jr.
“Kamala Harris has every left wing policy record of Joe Biden. The only difference is she’s even more liberal than Joe and less competent. This is so amazing. She was put in charge of border control and we have seen the worst illegal immigration invasion in history!!!” Donald Jr. said on X.
US President Joe Biden has announced that he is dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris instead. Former Republican presidential candidate Joe Walsh said the move makes Trump and his supporters “the unhappiest people in America” because Trump has always had a hard time attacking strong women like Harris.
Environmental activist Eric Pica
“We thank President Biden for his decades of leadership and support his decision to end his reelection campaign. While far from perfect, Biden has taken historic steps to address the climate crisis by passing inflation-busting legislation and initiating massive investments in renewable energy,” the head of environmental group Friends of the Earth Action said in a statement.
“What’s at stake in this election is the same: Trump is an existential threat to our democracy and our planet, and he will guarantee we fall completely into climate chaos.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. History will remember the great job he’s done to lower prescription drug costs, fix our terrible roads, bring supply chains back home, address climate change and ensure decades of American global leadership. My job in this election remains the same: to elect Democrats and do everything we can to stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose policies would raise costs for families, ban abortion across the country and abuse the power of the White House to settle scores for himself, are completely wrong for Michigan,” Michigan’s Democratic governor said on Twitter.
Senator Dick Durbin
“Throughout his career in public office, Joe Biden has always put country first. His four years as President have made clear his commitment to getting our country back on track and restoring the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to our country,” Biden, a Democratic senator and majority whip, wrote in a post on X.
Congressman Steve Scalise
“Democratic Party leaders have proven they have no respect for their own voters. After lecturing the other party about democracy, they removed Joe Biden as their nominee, undermining the first choice of 14 million of their own voters,” the Republican House Majority Leader said on X.
Naomi Biden
“Today, I am incredibly proud of my father, President Joe Biden, who has served our country with all his heart and soul and with unparalleled service. Not only has he been and will remain the most effective president in our lifetimes, but he has probably already established himself as the most effective and influential public servant in the history of our nation,” Biden’s granddaughter posted on X.
Youth group “Tomorrow’s Voters”
The Gen Z-led group, which aims to get young Americans involved in politics and government, praised Biden for “implementing the most pro-youth policies in American history.”
“We are ready to mobilize young people to elect Kamala Harris as president,” the group said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“I respect President Biden’s decision and look forward to working with him during the remainder of his term,” the British prime minister said in a statement.
“I know that President Biden will make decisions based on what he believes is in the best interest of the American people, as he has done throughout his distinguished career.”
