PRESIDENT Joe Biden has been pictured in public for the first time since ending his reelection bid as he prepares to return to the White House.
Biden, who had been out of the public view since his Covid-19 diagnosis on July 17, gave reporters a thumbs up before entering Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on Tuesday afternoon.
Joe Biden was pictured in public for the first time since he ended his reelection bid[/caption]
Biden was pictured exiting an unmarked black SUV at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware[/caption]
The president, 81, tested negative for Covid-19 and left isolation in Delaware six days after his positive diagnosis on July 17.
The White House physician updated the American public on Biden’s health on Tuesday, revealing the president’s “symptoms have resolved.”
As Biden stumbled out of an unmarked black SUV, reporters pressed him with questions about his health, to which he replied he was “feeling well.”
Biden slowly walked up the steps of Air Force One and gave a thumbs up and a salute before entering the aircraft.
The president is expected to make the trip back to Washington DC and return for duty at the White House.
The sighting marked the first time Biden was seen in public since he formally handed over the mantle to Kamala Harris on Sunday when he endorsed her for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Biden was forced to pull out of a campaign event in Las Vegas on July 17 and flown to Delaware after testing positive for Covid.
The commander-in-chief was motorcaded to his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, where he has been since.
The White House physician said Biden never developed a fever, and his vital signs and lungs remained normal.
President Biden is expected to address the nation on Wednesday evening about his decision to abandon his 2024 campaign.
The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all.
Joe Biden
He made a surprise call to Harris‘ campaign event in Delaware on Monday, marking his first comments since dropping out of the race.
Biden reassured his former campaign staff that he plans to complete his term as president after his shocking decision on Sunday blindsided White House officials.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Biden told campaign staffers, who have shifted their focus on Harris’ crusade.
“I know yesterday’s news was surprising and hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do.
“I know it’s hard because you poured your heart and soul into me to help us win this thing.”
Biden praised his vice president and urged his staffers to rally behind her campaign.
“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” Biden added.
“And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be out there on the campaign with her, with Kamala.
“I’m going to be working like hell, both as a sitting president getting legislation passed as well as campaigning.
“You know, we still need to save this democracy, and Trump is still a danger to the community. He’s a danger to the nation.”
What happens next as Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race?
President Biden has finally heeded calls to drop his bid for re-election, throwing the 2024 election into chaos. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris but naming a new Democratic nominee won't be a simple process. Here's what's next after Biden's stunning announcement.
Biden secured nearly 4,000 delegates by winning state caucuses and primaries earlier this year. He was set to officially be named the Democratic nominee at a virtual vote ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19.
Democratic party rules don’t allow Biden to simply pass his 3,896 delegates to Harris or another candidate.
Harris will now have to convince those nearly 4,000 delegates and 700 superdelegates to support her and name her nominee.
However, delegates are free agents who can choose to support whichever candidate they want – likely without input from voters at this stage since primaries and caucuses were already held.
All eyes are now on the previously planned virtual vote – where the Democratic party could choose a nominee before the DNC begins.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris will likely sway delegates and no one has publicly challenged her as a candidate – but delegates are not required to back her. Even if the virtual vote isn’t held, the party could still choose Harris or another candidate before the convention.
If Democrats don’t name their nominee before the DNC, it’ll be the first open and contested convention since 1968.
Biden did not elaborate on his decision to withdraw from the race but praised his team.
“I’ve been honored and humbled – for all you’ve done for me and my family,” he added.
“I’m hoping you’ll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala.”
KAMALA HITS THE TRAIL
In the days since being endorsed as the Democratic presidential candidate by Biden, Kamala Harris secured the necessary delegates to win the party’s nomination.
As of Monday evening, Harris reportedly had the support of at least 2,668 delegates – way more than the minimum of 1,976 required to win on a first ballot.
The Harris campaign has also raised more than $50 million in donations.
The Democratic presidential candidate, 59, delivered a fiery speech at her campaign headquarters in Wilmington on Monday.
Harris lashed out at former President Donald Trump and compared him to the “predators, fraudsters, and cheaters” she had prosecuted during her time as attorney general in California.
Meanwhile, Democrats have slowly united behind Harris’ presidential campaign.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries joined the growing list of party members who have endorsed Harris.
Several of Harris’ potential rivals, including governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer, have endorsed the vice president.
“When I announced my campaign for President, I said I intended to go out and earn this nomination,” Harris said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee, and as a daughter of California, I am proud that my home state’s delegation helped put our campaign over the top, I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon.”
One key Democratic figure who has not endorsed Harris is former President Barack Obama.
Timeline of Biden's failed re-election bid
President Joe Biden endured weeks of calls to step aside before he announced on July 21 that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. Here are key developments leading up to his decision.
June 27: Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump sparks calls for him to step aside. His voice is raspy and he trails off several times after having already endured questions about his age and mental capacity following a series of blunders at public events.
July 2: Polls after the debate indicate that Trump is pulling ahead. Rep. Lloyd Doggett is the first Democratic congressman to publicly urge Biden to drop his bid for re-election and big Democratic donors issue the same call a day later.
July 5: Biden does a live TV interview with George Stephanopoulos where he tries to quell fears about his age and debate performance. He calls it a “bad night” and says he was under the weather and “exhausted.”
July 10: Senator Peter Welch becomes the first senator to call for Biden to drop out.
July 11: Biden refers to Ukrainian President Zelensky as President Putin at a NATO event.
July 13: Trump is shot at a campaign rally by a wannabe assassin. His popularity and favorability rating soar after he was seen bloodied on stage but walked off with a fist in the air, telling the crowd to “fight!”
July 17: Rep Adam Schiff and a series of other Democrats call for Biden to step aside and even former President Barack Obama tells allies that Biden’s path to victory has “greatly diminished.” Biden tests positive for Covid-19 hours later, after saying he would consider ending his bid if he were diagnosed with “some medical issue.”
July 19: Biden insists he will continue campaigning in his first statement since Obama’s U-turn – despite reports that he would decide to drop out by the weekend.
July 21: Just before 2 pm, Biden announces he is stepping aside in the 2024 election and endorses VP Kamala Harris.
