Biden Steps Down: "It's Time to Hand Over to a New Generation, Younger and Fresher Voices"

Joe Biden addressed the American nation this Wednesday for the first time since he exited the presidential race. The 81-year-old president stated that he made the decision to step down to "defend democracy," "pass the torch to a new generation," and unify his party.

From the Oval Office of the White House, President Biden delivered an 11-minute speech broadcast live by the country's major television networks. His objective was twofold: to explain his decision to end his re-election campaign and to define his legacy in his own words.

"I believe my track record as president, my global leadership, and my vision for the future of the United States, all justify a second term, but nothing should stand in the way of saving our democracy," he asserted.

The president stated that he is "passing the baton" to a new generation to unite the United States and "save" democracy. "I have decided that the best way forward is to pass the baton to a new generation. This is the best way to unite our nation," he expressed, seated at the Oval Office desk, with several photographs visible behind him, including one of his late son Beau, who died of cancer in 2015.

Biden has only delivered four speeches to the nation throughout his term, two of which have been in the recent days.

"The corrupt Joe Biden's speech from the Oval Office was barely understandable and sooo bad!" wrote Trump on Truth Social just minutes after the address ended.

In a calm tone, Biden reviewed the achievements of his nearly four years in office and believed he deserved a second four-year term.

Six Months of Work Ahead

"Over the next six months, I will focus on doing my job as president," he said, adding that he would continue working to lower prices. He affirmed that he would work to protect "the right to vote and the right to choose."

He emphasized that "there is no place in America for political violence or any other kind of violence, period," and stated that he would continue to push for an end to gun violence.

"I will keep fighting for my goal against cancer," he said, referring to efforts to find a cure for cancer, which began when he was vice president.

Biden also mentioned that before leaving office, he would seek significant changes in the Supreme Court. "I will call for a Supreme Court reform," he hinted without providing further details.

Harris, a "Tough" Politician

In the speech, Biden described Kamala Harris, his successor, as an "experienced," "tough," and "capable" politician. Harris herself watched the president's address live from Houston, Texas, where she is scheduled to deliver a speech on Thursday.

Inside the Oval Office, the president was accompanied by several family members, including First Lady Jill Biden and his son Hunter, who has been one of his greatest supports in recent weeks and watched attentively as Biden read the speech from a teleprompter.

Biden's speech was historic, as no presidential candidate has ever withdrawn from the race so close to the elections. The closest precedent dates back to March 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969) announced that he would not seek re-election, but he did so at the start of the party primaries. In contrast, Biden made this decision with the primaries already concluded and just three months before the elections.

President Joe Biden delivered a historic speech from the White House this Wednesday, where he explained the reasons for his withdrawal from the re-election bid ahead of the November elections.