President Joe Biden announced that he will deliver a speech to the nation this Wednesday from the Oval Office of the White House, addressing his recent decision to withdraw from the Democratic Party's presidential candidacy.
In a message posted on X, Biden also indicated that he will discuss "what lies ahead" and how he plans to complete "the work" for the American people during the nearly six months he has left in his presidency. The speech is scheduled for 8:00 PM local time (00:00 GMT).
Biden's Return to the White House
Biden is expected to return to the White House on Tuesday after spending several days at his home in Delaware, where he was in isolation due to a COVID-19 infection. Following his address to the nation, he is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
Last Sunday, Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race following criticism from his own party over his poor performance in the first debate against Donald Trump on June 27, along with other notable incidents that raised questions about his mental health. The American president stated that he made this decision for the good of the country and the party and announced that he would address the nation this week to explain the situation.
After stepping down, Biden nominated Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, who has already secured enough delegates to guarantee her nomination at the upcoming Democratic National Convention, set to begin on August 19 in Chicago.
On Monday, Biden made a phone appearance at a Harris event at the campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, encouraging Americans to vote for her and emotionally declaring, “I’m watching you, girl. I love you.”
“I remain fully committed. We are still in this fight together. I'm not going anywhere. (…) We still have to save this democracy. I'll do whatever Kamala needs me to do,” he affirmed.
With his Wednesday speech, the president aims to silence the criticisms from former President Donald Trump and other voices within the Republican Party who have called for his resignation under the argument that if he is not prepared to run as a candidate, he is also not prepared to continue serving as president.
Biden's Withdrawal and Upcoming Speech: Key Questions Answered
In light of President Joe Biden's recent announcement and his upcoming speech, here are some key questions and answers that provide more context and details about this significant development.
Why did Joe Biden decide to withdraw from the presidential race?
Biden cited criticism from his party over his debate performance and concerns about his mental health as primary reasons. He stated that the decision was made for the good of the country and the Democratic Party.
Who will be Biden's successor in the Democratic Party?
Biden has nominated Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. She has already secured enough delegates for her nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
When and where will Biden's speech take place?
Biden's speech is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 PM local time (00:00 GMT) from the Oval Office of the White House.
What are the expectations for Biden's speech?
The speech is expected to address his withdrawal from the race, outline his plans for the remaining months of his presidency, and respond to criticisms from the Republican Party.