US President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside from his re-election bid sent ripples through the political landscape. In his first interview since withdrawing from the race, Biden explained that his primary motivation was to prevent internal Democratic divisions from overshadowing the critical goal of defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. He voiced concerns that a protracted and potentially divisive primary battle would serve as a “real distraction,” ultimately benefiting his Republican rival.
Despite persistent questions surrounding his age and fitness for office, Biden, 81, asserted that health was not a significant factor in his decision. He addressed his widely criticized debate performance, attributing it to feeling unwell at the time, dismissing any serious concerns about his health or mental sharpness. Speaking to CBS News, Biden declared, “We must, we must, we must defeat Trump,” emphasizing the urgency of party unity above his personal political ambitions.
Biden elaborated that continuing his campaign risked creating a damaging narrative of Democratic discord. “A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races,” he stated. He feared that his candidacy would become a focal point of internal party strife, diverting attention from the broader election objectives. “And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. You’d be interviewing me about, Why did Nancy Pelosi say, why did so — and I thought it’d be a real distraction.” This alluded to reports of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s influence in pushing for Biden to reconsider his candidacy following the debate. While Pelosi has not explicitly confirmed these reports, the speculation underscores the internal pressures Biden faced.
While acknowledging his debate performance was subpar, Biden attributed it to illness, adding jet lag and fatigue as contributing factors in previous statements. Ultimately, the mounting pressure culminated in his announcement on July 21 that he would withdraw from the race. Contrary to expectations of a chaotic scramble for the Democratic nomination, the party swiftly rallied behind Vice-President Kamala Harris. Harris, who has consistently polled favorably, emerged as the clear frontrunner, solidifying party unity and avoiding a potentially damaging primary contest.
Biden had previously framed himself as a transitional figure when he initially ran for the White House in 2020, suggesting an awareness of the need for generational change within the Democratic Party. “When I ran the first time, I thought of myself as being a transition president. I can’t even say how old I am. It’s hard for me to get it out of my mouth,” he remarked, hinting at his long political career and perhaps a readiness to pass the torch.
Looking beyond his own campaign, Biden reiterated his deep concerns about the broader implications of the upcoming election, particularly regarding Donald Trump’s influence. He recalled the 2017 Charlottesville incident, where far-right activists gathered and violence erupted, as a pivotal moment that spurred his initial decision to run against Trump. Biden accused Trump of emboldening extremist groups, stating, “Every other time the Ku Klux Klan has been involved they wore hoods so they’re not identified. Under his presidency, they came out of those woods with no hoods, knowing they had an ally.”
Furthermore, Biden expressed apprehension about the peaceful transfer of power should Trump lose to Harris in November. “I was ‘not confident at all’ that there will be a peaceful transfer of power if Ms. Harris defeats Trump,” he stated, underscoring his fears of potential unrest and instability. He also highlighted Trump’s controversial rhetoric, including remarks about a potential “bloodbath,” interpreting them as genuine threats to American security. While the Trump campaign has clarified some statements as referring to economic impacts, Biden maintains a serious view of Trump’s language and its potential consequences.
Despite stepping down from the top of the ticket, Biden pledged his full support to Kamala Harris and committed to campaigning vigorously on her behalf. He mentioned plans to campaign in key states like Pennsylvania, highlighting his Scranton roots, and expressed his willingness to assist Harris in any way she deems helpful. Ultimately, Biden’s decision to withdraw was presented as a strategic move to prioritize party unity and focus all Democratic energy on preventing a Trump return to the White House, a goal he clearly believes transcends his own political career.
