Biden To Deliver First Address To Nation Since Ending Re-Election Campaign

President Joe Biden plans to speak to the American public from the White House on Wednesday evening, in his first public address since he announced that he was ending his re-election bid.

“Tomorrow evening at 8 PM ET, I will address the nation from the Oval Office on what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people,” Biden said in a post to X on Tuesday.

Biden posted a letter to X on Sunday that said he was exiting the 2024 race, in which he was poised for a rematch against former President Donald Trump, but would stay on as president.

“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.

Allies had been applying intense pressure on Biden, 81, to drop out after a fumbling debate performance late last month spurred concerns about his mental acuity and electability.

The decision to bow out followed the White House saying last week that Biden tested positive for COVID and would cut short a campaign swing out West.

Biden spent days isolating at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and his doctor said on Monday that the president had nearly recovered from COVID.

A schedule released late on Monday said Biden would return to the White House on Tuesday afternoon and receive his daily briefing.

Shortly after saying he was no longer seeking a second term, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.

“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump,” he said.

Harris has since gathered the support of enough delegates to win the nomination, although the process remains open, and another challenger could emerge before voting begins.

As Harris visited her campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, Biden called in and offered some assurances.

“I’m not going anywhere. And I want you to know … you’ve always had my back. I promise you, I will always have your back,” Biden said.