{"id":26969,"date":"2025-05-08T16:34:57","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T16:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=26969"},"modified":"2025-05-08T16:34:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T16:34:57","slug":"joe-biden-addresses-his-withdrawal-from-the-2024-election-heres-what-he-said","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=26969","title":{"rendered":"Joe Biden Addresses His Withdrawal From the 2024 Election \u2014 Here’s What He Said"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The former US president, who had long maintained he would run for re-election, shared why he ultimately changed course.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

In his first sit-down interview since stepping out of the 2024 presidential race, Joe Biden opened up about his decision to withdraw his candidacy and pass the baton to a new generation of leadership.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Joe<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Joe Biden speaks at the opening of the 79th General Debate of the UN General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York, on September 24, 2024 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Speaking with BBC’s Nick Robinson, Biden reflected on the events that led to his July 21, 2024, decision to end his\u00a0re-election campaign<\/a>. Although he had previously insisted on remaining in the race, he announced that he would not seek another term but would finish out his presidency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

At the same time, he endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Robinson pressed him on whether he should have made the decision sooner. “I don’t think it would have mattered,” Biden\u00a0said<\/a>, “I don’t know how that would have made much difference.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Joe<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris arrive ahead of the 60th inaugural ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

He explained that his campaign had gained strong momentum and support, which made it difficult to walk away. “I meant what I said when I started, that I’m preparing to hand this to the next generation, to transition government, but things moved so quickly, and it made it difficult to walk away and it was a hard decision,” he\u00a0noted<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Still, Biden stood by the timing of his withdrawal, emphasizing that the campaign was in a solid position when he stepped aside. When asked if he had any regrets, he\u00a0replied<\/a>, “I think it was the right decision.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Despite the Republican win in 2024, Biden stands by his choice to exit the race, highlighting his commitment to party unity and generational change. His reflections offer insight into a historic moment that reshaped the political landscape.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Joe<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris attend the inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Aside from the BBC interview,\u00a0Joe Biden<\/a>\u00a0made a rare public outing on April 15, 2025, when he delivered his first formal, high-profile address since leaving office.\u00a0Speaking at a bipartisan conference in Chicago, he sparked conversation not only with his remarks but also with his visibly changed appearance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"A<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A netizen’s comment on Joe Biden, dated April 16, 2025 | Source: X\/pmodon059<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The event, held at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile, was hosted by Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) and centered on the protection of Social Security.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

During his address, Biden criticized the current administration’s handling of the Social Security Administration. “Fewer than 100 days, this administration has done so much damage, and so much destruction \u2013 it’s kind of breathtaking it could happen that soon,” he\u00a0stated<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Former<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Former President Joe Biden speaks during the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled bipartisan conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

He specifically pointed to cuts and changes within the agency,\u00a0claiming<\/a>, “They’ve taken a hatchet to the Social Security, pushing 7,000 employees out the door.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Biden also\u00a0commented<\/a>\u00a0on reported access issues, “People can’t sign on to their accounts,” adding, “Who in the hell do they think they are?”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Continuing his remarks, the former president\u00a0alleged<\/a>\u00a0ulterior motives behind the changes, “They’re shooting first and aiming later. They want to wreck it so they can rob it. Why do they want to rob it? In order to give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The former president wore a deep blue suit, white shirt, and matching blue tie as he stood before a backdrop of American flags and the ACRD logo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

His silver hair was neatly styled, and he appeared focused and composed at the podium. Several attendees watched intently as he delivered his speech, standing confidently behind a black lectern.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Photos from the event show Biden addressing the crowd with visible energy, using hand gestures to emphasize key points during his remarks. The setting included two teleprompters and a U.S. presidential seal on display.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Former<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Former President Joe Biden addresses a crowd during the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled bipartisan conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Biden’s appearance quickly sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. Many viewers expressed surprise and admiration. On X, one person\u00a0wrote<\/a>,\u00a0“Biden looks younger.”<\/i>\u00a0Another\u00a0added<\/a>,\u00a0“Biden looks good and refreshed.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Comments on YouTube also followed suit. One viewer\u00a0wrote<\/a>,\u00a0“Holy moly he looks healthy and stress free again. This proves how the Presidency takes a toll on you [sic].”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Former<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Former U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at a conference hosted by the ACRD on April 15, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Another\u00a0said<\/a>,\u00a0“I miss you, Joe Biden. You look wonderful.”<\/i>\u00a0A separate comment\u00a0read<\/a>,\u00a0“He looks freshed. I’m glad he has had a minute to take a break [sic].”<\/i>\u00a0One viewer\u00a0noted<\/a>,\u00a0“He’s had some work done.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

On Instagram, emotional reactions accompanied praise for the former president. One person\u00a0commented<\/a>,\u00a0“Omg. I miss him so much. We are scared over here.”\u00a0<\/i>Another\u00a0wrote<\/a>,\u00a0“President Biden is so Amazing [sic].”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Former<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Former U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at a conference hosted by the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) on April 15, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Apart from touching on social security,\u00a0Biden shared personal childhood memories, marked by segregation and injustice.\u00a0<\/strong>Though he never named names, the subtext was clear. The past, and its unresolved echoes, remain central to his vision for the future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Biden recalled growing up in Delaware, where racial inequality shaped his earliest lessons. “I remember pulling into the parking lot. I had never seen hardly any Black people,” he\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>, describing a moment in fourth grade when he saw a bus filled with “colored kids” drive past Claymont High School.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Former<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Former President Joe Biden speaks during the ACRD bipartisan conference at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Curious, he asked his mother why those kids weren’t going to his school. Her answer opened his eyes to segregation. “That sparked my outrage,” Biden\u00a0admitted<\/u><\/a>. He used the moment to draw a line between personal memory and public policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Speaking to children at the event, he\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>, “These young kids right here can tell you things affect them when they learn about something that’s really just unfair and unjust.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Former<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Former President Joe Biden speaks during the ACRD bipartisan conference at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Biden shifted from policy to principle, sharing wisdom from his father. “Joe, a job’s a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your dignity,” he\u00a0recalled<\/u><\/a>\u00a0his father’s words. “It’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay.’ And mean it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Though he never mentioned President Donald Trump, Biden made his message clear: dignity, fairness, and inclusion should guide legislation. “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity,” he\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>, emphasizing that over 60 million Americans rely on that principle being upheld.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Biden didn’t hold back. His tone sharpened as he addressed economic pressures and political resistance. “I won’t go further. I’ll get into trouble,” he\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>, with a knowing pause. Then, he pressed on and criticized Congress for what he called a failure to protect vulnerable Americans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

“Every five years, Congress steps up,” he\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>. “Can you imagine this Congress stepping up?” His voice rose with frustration. He pointed to threats to raise the retirement age \u2014 a change he said might not matter to those with desk jobs, but one that would hit hard for workers on their feet, doing manual labor, or living with disabilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The crowd responded warmly. But it wasn’t just the audience in the room that paid attention. Hours later,\u00a0Donald Trump<\/a>\u00a0responded \u2014 but not with words. On his Truth Social account, he reposted a clip from Biden’s speech where the former president was speaking about racial segregation. No caption. No comment. Just the video.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Meanwhile, Biden’s speech sparked a wave of commentary from the public. Some expressed surprise. One comment\u00a0read<\/a>,” WoW,”<\/i>\u00a0a reaction that echoed the unexpected nature of the moment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n