President Joe Biden vowed to “pass the torch to the next generation” in his first public address to the American people since announcing his decision to end his re-election campaign.
“Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition,” Biden said during a live speech from the Oval Office Wednesday (July 24) night. “So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. There is a time and place for long years of experience in public life. But there is also a time and place for new voices, fresh voices, and yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
Biden, 81, claimed that he revered “this office, but I love my country more” and said “it’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president.”
Biden vowed to fulfill his duties as president over the next six months, specifically mentioning his intention to lower costs, grow the economy and end the war in Gaza.
Biden officially announced the end of his re-election campaign in a statement shared on his social media accounts Sunday (July 21).
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden said. “I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.”
Biden, the oldest president in history, appeared opposite former President Donald Trump on the debate stage for the first time since the 2020 election and did little to quell concerns about his vigor and energy. The president appeared to struggle with his voice, clearing his throat and coughing multiple times, and was often seen open-mouthed and staring when Trump spoke, occasionally struggling to finish sentences.
Biden’s performance reportedly led to “panic” among Democrats, according to longtime Democratic operative and CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod, which was followed by several Democratic members of Congress calling for him to step down.
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