On July 21, 2024, President Joe Biden posted a letter on social media announcing he was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race — ending one of the most turbulent periods in modern American political history.
The announcement came weeks after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27 that had raised serious questions about Biden's fitness for office. For three weeks, Democratic leaders, donors, and elected officials had debated privately and publicly about whether Biden should continue his campaign. He ultimately decided to step aside.
Endorsing Harris
Biden immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who quickly consolidated Democratic support and formally accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August. Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
The Historic Nature of the Moment
No sitting president had withdrawn from a re-election campaign in the modern primary era. The decision — made just 107 days before the election — was unprecedented in American political history.
Whatever your politics, 2024 was a year that will be studied by historians for decades.