First lady Jill Biden on Wednesday thanked her husband and his supporters after Biden spoke out about his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
President Biden addressed the nation in front of cameras for the first time since announcing earlier this week that he was withdrawing his candidacy.
The first lady also urged Biden supporters to now support Vice President Harris, who Biden and other key figures have already endorsed as his candidate to replace Biden at the top of the presidential race and take on former President Trump in November.
“My heart is full of gratitude to those who never wavered, those who refused to doubt, those who always believed,” the first lady said in a posted statement. Social media platform X. “Thank you for putting your trust in Joe. Now put your trust in Kamala.”
The president announced in a letter posted to social media on Sunday that he would not seek reelection, a decision that came after weeks of growing calls from Democrats for him to step down and replace him with someone else.
In a speech on Wednesday, Biden said he was stepping down from the race to unite the Democratic Party and “pass the baton” to a younger generation, and vowed to use his remaining six months in office to seek reform of the Supreme Court.
The president praised Harris as “experienced,” “tough” and “capable.” Harris won enough delegates on Monday to secure the nomination and be poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee. She has also boasted record fundraising since the incumbent dropped out of the race to endorse her.
Biden was gathered in the Oval Office on Wednesday with the first lady, his children, their spouses and children and longtime political advisers.
Jill Biden and her family have frequently demonstrated their loyalty to the president, especially in the weeks after his poor debate performance, lacking energy and stumbling over words, sparked concerns about whether Biden could beat Trump or even serve another four years.
The First Lady and Biden’s family were also quick to offer words of support to him after he decided to drop out of the race.
