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Live updates: President Biden drops out, endorses VP Harris as nominee
for a second term after he failed to reassure voters following his poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump., with the campaign renamed Harris for President. including some of those who were thought to be contenders.
The DNC chair says the party will undertake a "transparent and orderly" process to move forward "with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November."
saying she hopes to "earn and win" the nomination. Harris allies say they're ready to fundraise for her.
including governors for two must-win states: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
— including from Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, as well as from potential Biden replacements like California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
— Those numbers are likely to look different after Biden dropped out and the Republican National Convention. Trumpwould be the second-oldest president in U.S. history if elected.
A Sunday of breaking election news comes to a close
By Alana Wise
President Biden has stepped aside as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election. Vice President Harris has accepted his endorsement to take up the torch. And NPR has blogged it all.
What happens next for Democrats will become more clear in the coming days, and NPR will be here with all the latest.
In the meantime, today's blog is being put to bed.
Tune in to the NPR Politics Podcast for recaps, and subscribe to the Up First podcast and newsletter to get the morning's top news.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom throws his support behind Harris
By Alana Wise
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has endorsed Vice President Harris for president.
Newsom, who is viewed as one of the Democratic Party’s rising stars, wrote on X : “With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President.”
Newsom’s name has been among a floating list of potential presidential or vice presidential nominees, and his endorsement could help court progressive voters to support the fellow Californian as well as offer comfort to those who fear a messy nominating process.
Gen Z gun control organizer David Hogg raises $100,000 in an hour for Harris
By Elena Moore
After President Biden announced he would drop out of the presidential race, political activist David Hogg announced his support for Vice President Kamala Harris.
He gave his over one million followers on X a challenge: Raise $100,000 for Harris' campaign in an hour. He also posted it on Threads, where he has a following of more than 170,000.
About an hour after the initial post, Hogg announced they had met their goal and asked for donations to keep coming. By 7:40 pm ET, Hogg told NPR they had raised $175,000.
I'm feeling hope for there first time in a while. I am proud to support Kamala Harris and amazed that we already raised her over $100,000 today. Thank you all for being part of this! There's a lot of great work ahead
Hogg's call is part of a larger wave of donations pouring in to the newly renamed "Harris for President." According to Act Blue on X, donations of more than $27.5 million have poured in over the first 5 hours of Harris' campaign.
"Grassroots supporters are energized and excited to support her as the Democratic nominee," ActBlue stated on X.
Hogg leads Leaders We Deserve, an organization supporting young Democrats running for state and federal office.
Hogg first got involved in political organizing after a mass shooting at his high school in Parkland, Fla., in 2018. He went on to co-found the gun control group March For Our Lives, gaining a national following.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, seen as a potential VP pick, endorses Harris
By Deepa Shivaram
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is rumored to be a potential vice presidential pick for Harris, said Harris should be the next president.
In a tweet, the Democratic governor said he has known Harris since they served as attorneys general together.
He wrote that "she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity."
Cooper attended a campaign rally with Harris in Fayetteville, N.C. on Thursday.
Harris allies say they're ready to fundraise for her
By Deepa Shivaram
Harris allies had already started to build fundraising networks and make calls in the days before Sunday, when President Biden announced he would step down from the top of the ticket.
Now that Biden has endorsed Harris, her allies and backers are ramping up their support.
"We're going to organize, we're going to mobilize," said Neil Makhija, the Democratic commissioner of Montgomery County, Penn., who leads the organization Impact. "This is the jolt of energy that the Democratic party needed to inspire historic turnout in November."
Impact, which helps boost Indian-Americans running for office, has already started selling T-shirts that say “Kamala Ke Saath” which translates to “I’m with Kamala” in Hindi. The group raised $15 million for the Biden-Harris ticket last cycle, and plans to exponentially increase that amount with Harris at the top of the ticket, Makhija said.
"We will raise more money than we've raised in our history. We have people who are ready to step up," Makhija said.
Alexandra Acker Lyons is a donor adviser who has been working the phones in recent days trying to get donors ready to give to Harris in case Biden stepped down from the ticket.
She said donors, particularly women, had been “very receptive” and that people want to be ready for Harris if she is the nominee.
“We know what she’s going to face. We know the other side is going to attack her in god-awful racist and sexist ways,” Acker Lyons said.
“We are organizing to go, to make sure she has the financial resources she needs to win in November,” she said.
Emily’s List, an organization that uplifts women candidates who are supportive of abortion rights, has backed Harris since she first started running for public office. Christina Reynolds, the group’s spokesperson, said they would continue.
“We had always known she would be key to this victory… our work continues. It’s just now for the top of the ticket,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said many voters still don’t know her biography, and now will be an opportunity to share Harris’ history and re-introduce her.
Acker Lyons said the same goes for some donors, because many of the fundraising events last cycle took place during COVID-19.
"There are plenty of people who I think will give her another look, who had not had reason to meet her or support her before,” she said.
Meanwhile, Biden himself has sent out a fundraising email and text message for Harris, as well.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, eyed as a VP contender, backs Harris for nomination
By Eric McDaniel
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who leads the must-win state of Pennsylvania and is frequently discussed as one of the Democratic party’s rising stars, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
“I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades,” Shapiro said in a statement. “We’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood up for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and delivered results.”
“The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency,” Shapiro wrote.
The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania – where this collective work began.
I will do everything I can to help elect @KamalaHarris as the 47th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/sqCkiAmCV7
Along with Govs. Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Shapiro is seen as a possible running-mate for Harris. Each of the men has state-level executive experience and represents a moderate vein of the Democratic party.
That balance could be essential in winning over voters concerned that Vice President Harris, who served as a senator from California before assuming the vice presidency, is too progressive.
Biden campaign holds 'sad but hopeful' call with staff
By Deepa Shivaram
The Biden campaign held a call with staffers this afternoon, and reiterated that the campaign is moving forward "full steam ahead," according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden's campaign manager, kicked off the call, along with Jen O'Malley Dillon, the chair of the campaign.
They said everyone on the staff still had a job.
"All of you, all of us, wherever we come from, are here for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and to defeat Donald Trump. And while today is a big day of transition, nothing changes with why you got here and what we're all here to do," O'Malley Dillon said.
A staffer on the call said it lasted about 20 minutes and it was "sad but hopeful."
Gen Z Rep. Maxwell Frost campaigned for Biden but admits he had doubts after the debate
By Elena Moore
Rep. Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of the U.S. House of Representatives, praised President Biden's record and argued that Vice President Harris should be the party's nominee.
The Florida Democrat ticked through Biden's accomplishments, but also acknowledged that he did worry about the president's ability to win reelection after his poor debate performance three weeks ago.
"I did have concerns right after the debate, but I didn't say anything out loud," Frost said on a call with reporters, adding he felt reassured after speaking with the president and his top advisers over the following weeks.
"The president has obviously made this decision, and I trust whatever decision he makes," he added.
Frost also pledged to campaign for Harris moving forward and argued she would perform well with younger voters — an age group Biden overwhelmingly won four years ago.
Coconut tree Kamala? Why Harris supporters are embracing this meme
By Rachel Treisman
Social media has all sorts of reactions to President Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Vice President Harris — but perhaps the most-invoked emoji, at least in certain circles, is none other than the humble coconut.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis tweeted out just three emojis : a coconut, a palm tree and an American flag. EMILYs List, the PAC focused on electing Democratic women, explicitly endorsed Harris in a tweet and, in a more subtle show of support, also added the tree and the coconut to its username.
Excited social media users are calling themselves " coconut-pilled " and joking about falling out of a coconut tree. What's the deal with the drupe? (Yes, a coconut is not a fruit or a nut, but a drupe.)
The story starts the morning of May 10, 2023, when Harris took to a podium in Washington, D.C., to offer remarks at a swearing-in ceremony for commissioners for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics.
At one point, Harris said that while the commissioners' work will be focused on young people, it should also take into account the needs of their families, teachers and communities, "because none of us just live in a silo."
"Everything is in context," Harris said, before launching into the now-infamous anecdote.
"My mother... would give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us, 'I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?' " Harris said with a laugh. "You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you."
On this day one year ago, Vice President Kamala Harris said, “you think you just fell out of a coconut tree?” pic.twitter.com/Vh5OTv3XlF
A coconut tree takes multiple years to bear fruit, and it took this speech a little over a year to blossom into a meme.
The coconut tree video started circulating on social media in the wake of the Trump-Biden debate, as calls for Biden to withdraw from the race — and chatter about Harris replacing him — gained traction. Google searches for "coconut tree" started climbing in the U.S. in early July.
The quote and imagery were memed with all sorts of pop culture references in the weeks that followed, from Charlie XCX's summer album Brat to TV shows like Succession and Veep.
The left-wing think tank Data for Progress even released a poll on Friday reporting that a majority of voters surveyed — on both sides of the aisle — agree that "you exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., used the phrase while arguing against an open convention, in a lengthy Instagram live video posted early Friday defending Biden's candidacy.
"If you're falling out of a coconut tree, God bless you," she said. "If you're riding with the President, God bless. I'm not an open-convention person. I think that is crazy."
The coconut tree has continued to gain traction in the wake of Biden's withdrawal as nominee.
It's one of many Harris moments-turned-memes flooding social media, as supporters rebrand them from awkward to iconic.
Honorable mentions including her post-election-win " We Did It, Joe ," a joyful video of her singing " Wheels on the Bus" and her unabashed excitement about Venn diagrams.
Kennedy says he's staying in presidential race as an independent candidate
By Ashley Lopez
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during a press conference Sunday that he will continue running as an independent presidential candidate following President Biden’s decision on Sunday to not accept his party’s nomination.
Now that Biden has released his thousands of delegates, Kennedy could presumably seek the Democratic Party’s nomination in an open convention — a scenario he quickly shut down during a press conference today.
He said in continuing to run independently of both parties he remains “in the best position to win” this year's presidential race.
Kennedy's bid has largely been seen as a "long shot," but it's potential impact in a close national race is unpredictable.
During his remarks, Kennedy criticized the Democratic National Committee several times. He called party leaders a “cabal” and implied the rules for an open convention would likely be “rigged.”
“I would be in the same position … sidelined,” he said.
Kennedy accused Democratic Party leaders of using “their power over the Democratic Party nomination to make sure that nobody could compete with President Biden” early in the primary process.
“As a result, we are where we are today,” he said.
Vice President Harris has already announced she will be seeking the nomination and she has been endorsed by Biden.
Kennedy said he will continue to urge voters who are unhappy with both parties to vote for him come November.
“If people want more of the same they can vote Republican and they can vote Democrat,” Kennedy said.
So far, it is unclear which voters would even be able to cast ballots for Kennedy this fall. Getting on each state ballot as an independent candidate is a costly and, in some cases, difficult legal process.
On top of all the logistical issues the campaign faces, Kennedy’s bid has also faced some fundraising issues, as well as some personnel turnover.
Hunter Biden praises his father and urges Americans to thank him
By Elena Moore
Hunter Biden reflected on and praised his father's political career in a statement released after President Biden withdrew from the race.
He shared stories of his father's ability to empathize and connect with voters, listening to the pain they've experienced and offering his personal phone number.
“That unconditional love has been his North Star as a President, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years," Hunter Biden said in a statement, shared on social media by his daughter.
“I’m so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same."
♥️ pic.twitter.com/0yBoethUbZ
Biden campaign renamed 'Harris for President'
By Domenico Montanaro
That didn't take long.
Vice President Kamala Harris isn't the official Democratic nominee yet, but the Biden campaign has been renamed Harris for President.
The Federal Election Commission filing went up today and the web site listed is KamalaHarris.com. As of 5:45 p.m. ET, that redirects to joebiden.com, and Biden is still most prominently the focus.
It's a reminder of the fact that there's an ease and continuity of making Harris the nominee since she was already part of the campaign.
Biden struggled with younger voters. Now some of his critics are backing Harris
By Elena Moore
Prominent young voter advocates have repeatedly praised President Biden's administration for taking steps on issues that mobilize Gen Z and younger millennial voters — including on preventing gun violence, relieving student debt and battling climate change.
But Biden also received loud criticism from young organizers, who disagreed with some of his policies, including his decision to approve an oil drilling project in Alaska last year and his decision to supply military aid to Israel in its war with Hamas.
One of those groups was Gen Z for Change, which was started in 2020 in support of Biden's campaign. This time around they had not come forward to endorse Biden. But after his decision to drop out, they endorsed Harris.
Gen-Z for Change’s statement on President Biden’s decision to drop out of 2024 race. pic.twitter.com/U06rzNEZol
In a statement to NPR, Gen Z for Change executive director Elise Joshi explained her group's support.
"Our endorsement of Vice President Harris is a broader representative endorsement of the Democratic party’s decision to listen to its constituents and unite around a candidate with newer and younger vision for this country" and "necessary energy to defeat Donald Trump," she said.
Gen Z for Change isn't the only group that has come forward. The youth-run environmental group, Sunrise Movement urged two weeks ago for Biden to "pass the torch."
After the news of Biden's exit from the race, the group praised his climate policy and urged the new nominee to adopt a series of policy pledges.
"This is a historic day," the group's executive director Aru Shiney-Ajay said. "Let's Win this election."
Statement from our Executive Director, @aru_shineyajay, on Biden withdrawing from the race.
"This is a historic day. Let's win this election." pic.twitter.com/nHZa2PPEhj
European leaders react to Biden's decision to drop out of race
By Willem Marx
Reactions to President Biden's decision have come from across Europe over the past few hours, including from key allies in the United Kingdom and Germany, as well as Moscow.
From Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that Biden's decision to drop his reelection bid deserved recognition, while his foreign policy leadership merited praise.
"Joe Biden has achieved a great deal: for his country, for Europe, for the world," said Scholz. "Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he respected Biden's decision, and he looked forward to the two of them "working together during the remainder of his presidency."
Starmer said he knew Biden made the decision "based on what he believes is best for the American people."
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on social media that he salutes Biden "for the bravery of his decision and also for all he has done as president."
Johnson came to power during the administration of former President Trump, but worked closely alongside President Biden to develop supportive policies toward Ukraine in the immediate wake of Russia's 2022 invasion. "He has been a staunch Atlanticist and friend to Britain throughout his career and it was a privilege to work with him," Johnson wrote.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "four months until the election," which he termed, "a long time in which a lot can happen. We need to observe and see what happens."
Polling shows both Harris and Biden tied with Trump
By Rachel Treisman
The latest national NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, released July 12, found that Biden and Trump remained statistically tied, even in the aftermath of Biden's widely panned debate performance.
Biden leads Trump 50% to 48% in a head-to-head matchup — but that gap is within the survey’s margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.
That's just the findings of one poll. Those numbers are likely to look different after the week of the Republican National Convention, Biden's withdrawal announcement and endorsement of Harris, and the response from Democrats.
The poll also found that none of the Democrats who have been mentioned as possible alternatives — including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — performed any better than Biden when compared to Trump.
Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden has endorsed, narrowly led Trump 50% to 49%, in another statistical tie.
Who could potentially run against Harris? Some Democrats to watch
By Deepa Shivaram
Lexie Schapitl
Rachel Treisman
Biden has thrown his support behind his vice president, Kamala Harris, to be the new nominee. But other Democrats have said they want an open process.
The bombshell decision comes less than four months before Election Day, and just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, where a candidate will be formally chosen. Until then, Harris is not guaranteed the job.
Here are some of the other names that have been floated since before Biden even announced his withdrawal:
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore
- Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker
Read more about the potential contenders here.
The 1st congressional Dem to pressure Biden says voters should be open to all nominees
By Rachel Treisman
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first Democrat in Congress to call for Biden's withdrawal on July 2, saying Biden had failed to reassure voters in the debate and was trailing Trump in the polls.
The list of lawmakers from Biden's own party calling on him to leave the race grew in the days that followed, as this NPR tracker shows.
Less than a month after that first statement from Doggett, Biden announced on Sunday he will withdraw his reelection bid. Doggett is now among the many Democratic elected officials applauding that decision.
"Once again President Biden comes through for America, putting country over ego in a way that Donald Trump never could," he wrote on X. "Now we must move forward to offer a nominee, who can win over disaffected voters and energize Democrats."
Doggett said that when he called on Biden to step aside, he "recognized that this would be a painful and difficult decision," harkening back to Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.
"Today’s courageous action caps decades of selfless service and opens the door to a Convention that can build on our progress and prevent a takeover of our country by Trump and his gang," he added.
He called for a "fair, open and democratic process to select the nominee," acknowledging that Harris has Biden's endorsement but suggesting "we should be open to all talented individuals, who wish to be considered." Here are some of the names that have been floating around.
Biden, fresh off his endorsement, starts fundraising for Harris
By Rachel Treisman
Fresh off endorsing Harris, Biden is already asking voters to throw their financial support behind her.
In a text message — using similar language from his withdrawal statement — Biden highlighted some of his administration's accomplishments and reiterated that he believes it is in the best interests of his party and the country for him to leave the race.
"That’s why today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," he said. "Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump."
He urged those who are with them to donate to Harris' campaign.
Democratic strategist: 'Black people are casting a survival vote in this election'
By Jeongyoon Han
Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist and consultant to members of the Congressional Black Caucus, said coalescing behind Harris is crucial for Black voters in stopping Trump from winning the 2024 presidential election.
In an interview with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe, Seawright thanked Biden for his leadership and for uplifting Black communities. “No other leader has been more intentional about making certain our voices are elevated,” he said.
He threw his support behind Harris, saying: “She is the most prepared at this point to do the job because she's been a willing partner on the dance floor with [Biden] as he's been doing this dance for the past three and a half years."
"And I do think that she not only has the support of the Congressional Black Caucus, but she has the support of millions of Americans around this country," he added.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including House Rep. Jim Clyburn, have already endorsed Harris for president, and Seawright said a majority of the caucus have indicated that they would support Harris.
Seawright emphasized the stakes for Black voters. “Black people are casting a survival vote in this election,” he said. “The stakes are even higher for African Americans in this country than it is to any other constituency.”
South Carolina's Rep. Jim Clyburn endorses Kamala Harris
By Alana Wise
Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee.
"One of President Biden's first decisions as the nominee was to select a running mate that he believed possessed the values and vision necessary to continue this country's pursuit toward a 'more perfect Union,’” the Democratic congressman wrote in a statement.
“I echo the good judgment he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Party's 2024 nominee for President."
Clyburn’s endorsement is a major feather in Harris’ cap, as she now faces an unprecedented battle for the White House.
When Clyburn endorsed Biden in 2020, it helped propel Biden to victory in South Carolina and days later, secure ten more states in the Super Tuesday contests.
Clyburn is a longtime Washington power broker, and is viewed by some as a kingmaker in presidential elections. Democrats jockey competitively for his support, which often comes with a competitive boost from his constituents in majority-Black precincts.
Bernie Sanders calls Biden 'the most pro-working class president' in modern history
By Rachel Treisman
Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran against Biden in the 2020 presidential primary before dropping out, endorsing him and sending young progressives his way, thanked the president "for all you've done."
The independent from Vermont said in a tweet that Biden has "served our country with honor and dignity." He particularly praised Biden's focus on the working class.
"As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history," Sanders added.
Biden joined striking autoworkers on the picket line in Michigan in September 2023, in an unprecedented show of support for union members. The United Auto Workers union cited that same gesture in a statement of support for Biden on Sunday.
Obama praises Biden as a 'patriot of the highest order'
By Rachel Treisman
Former President Barack Obama released a lengthy statement praising Biden's service and decision to step aside, calling him "a patriot of the highest order."
Obama had publicly supported Biden's candidacy including at high-profile fundraising events, but reportedly had expressed doubt about his candidacy in recent weeks, according to anonymous media sources.
When asked about the reports, a source familiar with the former president's thinking said Obama's position was more nuanced and he saw himself "as a sounding board and counselor for President Biden.
After Biden's announcement, Obama shared his statement on Medium on behalf of himself and his wife Michelle, thanking Joe and Jill Biden "for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times — and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on."
Obama described Biden as "one of America's most consequential presidents," praising the work he did in helping end the COVID-19 pandemic, create jobs, pass gun safety legislation, invest in climate change solutions, address the rights of workers and improve America's standing on the world stage, among other achievements.
He lauded Biden for his empathy and resilience — attributes he said he came to admire firsthand during their time in the White House together — and for all he did to steer the country "away from the four years of chaos, falsehood and division that had characterized Donald Trump's administration." He said Biden's policies and example "reminded us of who we are at our best."
And he said that track record gives Biden "every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started," adding he's never known Biden to back down from a fight.
"For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life," Obama wrote. "But I know he wouldn't make this decision unless he believed it was right for America."
He called that decision a "testament to Joe Biden's love of country" and a "historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own."
As far as the impact of that decision, Obama acknowledged the Democratic Party — and the nation — will be navigating uncharted waters, but expressed his "extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges."
"I believe that Joe Biden's vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August," he added. "And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond."
Trump is fundraising off of Biden's withdrawal
By Rachel Treisman
The Trump campaign is seeking to capitalize off Biden's decision to withdraw as the Democratic nominee, blasting its email list with a fundraising ask.
"The WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT, the Hate-America Media and the corrupt DEEP STATE did everything they could to protect Biden, but he just quit the race in COMPLETE DISGRACE!" the email reads.
It urges supporters not to "let off the gas."
"If we're going to WIN BACK THE WHITE HOUSE, it will be all because of the momentum we build AT THIS VERY MOMENT - RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!" it adds.
The email calls on one million "pro-Trump Patriots" to chip in before the end of the day, pointing to a donation link.
Read Vice President Harris' full statement
Vice President Harris said on Sunday that she plans to “earn and win” the Democratic nomination:
“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country. His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern American history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office.
“It is a profound honor to serve as his Vice President, and I am deeply grateful to the President, Dr. Biden, and the entire Biden family. I first came to know President Biden through his son Beau. We were friends from our days working together as Attorneys General of our home states. As we worked together, Beau would tell me stories about his Dad. The kind of father—and the kind of man—he was. And the qualities Beau revered in his father are the same qualities, the same values, I have seen every single day in Joe’s leadership as President: His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people.
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.
“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
United Auto Workers praises Biden but doesn't explicitly endorse Harris
By Rachel Treisman
The United Auto Workers, in a statement, thanked President Biden "for his incredible term of service, and the leadership he has shown in putting country before self, once again, in passing the torch to a new generation."
"Joe Biden made history by joining us on our picket line last September and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the working class throughout his term in office," the union wrote on X. "Vice President Kamala Harris walked the picket line with us in 2019, and along with President Biden has brought work and jobs back to communities like Lordstown, Ohio, and Belvidere, Illinois."
The UAW also drew a contrast between Biden and the Republican nominee.
"While Donald Trump lies about rebuilding the auto industry, the fact is that while he was in office, autoworkers in Lordstown were left for dead by GM in 2019 while he said and did nothing," the union added.
The union, which has some 370,000 active members and more than 580,000 retired members in North American, endorsed Biden in January — and derided Trump as a "scab."
Even so, endorsement from leadership doesn't necessarily translate into votes.
Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' the Democratic nomination
By Deepa Shivaram
Vice President Harris said she intends to "earn and win" the Democratic nomination for president in a statement released Sunday afternoon.
"I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda." Harris said. "We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
She thanked Biden for his leadership and service, saying his legacy is "unmatched." She called his decision to step down "selfless and patriotic."
"President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else," she said, adding it was an honor to have his endorsement.
Harris spoke by phone with Biden earlier today, according to a person familiar with the conversation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The last incumbent to drop out of the race? President Johnson in 1968
By Eric McDaniel
Facing immense party pressure, lagging poll numbers and anger over Americans' involvement in an unpopular war, President Johnson quit 1968 presidential race in an effort to boost the Democratic party's odds of holding the White House. And, like President Biden, Johnson had strung together a monumental string of legislative achievements.
Here's how NPR's Ron Elving put it earlier this month:
LBJ's first 4 1/2 years in office had been among the most eventful in White House history. He had pulled together a grieving nation [following President Kennedy's assassination] and pressed his own party to enact the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A few months later, he had won a full term of his own in a historic landslide that carried huge Democratic majorities in Congress. In 1965, LBJ deployed those majorities to pass the Voting Rights Act, Medicare and a raft of social programs dubbed "The Great Society."
But policy isn't everything. Where Biden has been dogged by questions about whether he could sustain his fitness for office through his 86th birthday, Johnson faced a great deal of public anger of his escalation of the war in Vietnam.
Johnson made his announcement earlier in the process than Biden. He preempted network prime-time programming on the Sunday night of March 31, 1968. After discussing Vietnam at length, he closed with a pledge to devote himself to seeking peace and said: "Accordingly, I will not seek, nor will I accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president." Ultimately, after a chaotic spring and summer that saw the assassinations of candidate Robert F. Kennedy as well as Martin Luther King, Jr., Democrats nominated LBJ's vice president, Hubert Humphrey, in late August. Humphrey was popular among the party's left and ran a competitive fall campaign and closed the polling gap with Republican Richard Nixon by fall. In the end, Humphrey lost that election to Nixon -- something some Democrats are pointing to as a warning to mitigate the chaos and much as possible and coalesce quickly behind a replacement candidate.
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Biden called Harris earlier Sunday
By Deepa Shivaram
President Biden called Vice President Harris earlier today, a person familiar with the call said.
The content of the conversation is unclear.
Biden is still isolating with COVID-19 at his beach house in Delaware. Harris is in Washington.
Trump is now officially the oldest presidential nominee
By Rachel Treisman
Biden's withdrawal officially makes former President Trump, who turned 78 in June, the oldest presidential nominee of a major party.
That record once belonged to Ronald Reagan, who was 73 when he ran for reelection in 1984. Bob Dole was 73, just a few months younger, when he accepted the Republican nomination in 1996.
Both Trump and Biden set the record for oldest sitting president during their terms — Trump was 70 when he was sworn in in 2017, and Biden was 78 when he took office in 2021. And both of them would have broken their own record if reelected this year.
Now that Biden, 81, is out of the running, the title of oldest nominee falls to Trump. His running mate, J.D. Vance, turns 40 in August and would be one of the youngest vice presidents in history if their ticket is elected.
Vice President Harris, whom Biden has endorsed, is 59 years old, turning 60 in October. The median age for presidents on their first inauguration day is 55, according to the Pew Research Center.
Harris' role on immigration policy will be in the spotlight
By Alana Wise
Both allies and opponents will be looking at Vice President Kamala Harris’s record on immigration, a topic that has been a central plank of former President Donald Trump's campaign.
Harris is seen as a front-runner to replace President Biden on the ticket after he endorsed her when dropping out of the race.
As one of her first big roles in the White House back in 2021, Biden assigned Harris to work with Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to address the root causes of migrants arriving at the southern U.S. border.
Earlier this year, Harris announced $5.2 billion raised in private sector commitments to support economic growth in northern Central America, which the Biden administration has zeroed in on as a factor in the ongoing border crisis. However, such funding is unlikely to have an immediate impact on border numbers.
She had also voiced her support for a bipartisan border security package in the Senate that would set a ceiling for border crossings and increase funding for law enforcement officials. That bill was killed in both chamber by Republicans, at Trump’s urging.
Border control and national security have been among the issues that Trump has been most vocal about, decrying the Biden administration as being weak on crime and arguing that Democrats want people to come into the country illegally because they would be more likely to support the left.
Republicans have dubbed Harris Biden’s “border czar,” erroneously painting her as the architect of years of failed immigration policy.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praises Biden's service
By Alana Wise
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Biden as “one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history.” Jeffries was among many prominent Democrats who had reportedly appealed directly to Biden in recent days to end his campaign for a second term.
In a statement posted to X, Jeffries wrote: “In less than one term, [Biden] rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief.”
In recent days, other high-ranking Democrats expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to win, and what impact staying on the ticket could have on down-ballot races.
Following Biden’s debate performance, Jeffries told NPR that he still believed Biden could help Democrats secure key races, but in private conversations, he reportedly expressed doubts about Biden remaining in the race.
In his statement, Jeffries continued: “America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and dignity. We are forever grateful.”
Potential Biden replacements react to him stepping down
By Sarah McCammon
Several top Democrats who’ve been mentioned as potential replacements for President Biden or as vice presidential picks are praising Biden after his decision to step aside, while staying quiet about the party’s next steps.
Biden has thrown his weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who appears best-positioned to be the party’s nominee. But it’s unclear whether any other Democrats will challenge her for the position.
There’s also been wide speculation about whom Harris might choose as a running mate if she were to become the new nominee.
In a post on X, California Gov. Gavin Newsom — who’s often discussed as a potential future presidential candidate — called Biden an “extraordinary, history-making president” without mentioning Harris, who’s from his home state.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who’s seen as moderate who can help bring along a key battleground state, called Biden a “patriot who has served our country honorably.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — himself a candidate for the nomination in 2020 and until now, a high-profile surrogate for Biden — described him as “among the best and most consequential presidents in American history.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, another popular Democrat from a key state, praised Biden’s work to advance infrastructure investment. In a seeming reference to the speculation about her own future, added, “My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump."
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who also brings a moderate reputation and red-state credentials, described Biden as a “consequential president” and praised both Biden and Harris for leading the country through the aftermath of the pandemic and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Clintons praise Biden, vow support for Harris in a joint statement
By Joe Hernandez
Former President Bill Clinton and former 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton released a statement Sunday praising Biden for his time in office and vowing to support Vice President Kamala Harris for the party's nomination.
“By any measure, [Biden] has advanced our founders’ charge to build a more perfect union and his own stated goal of restoring the soul of our nation,” the Clintons said in a statement posted on X.
The pair said Biden's presidency has helped lift the U.S. “out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy and restored our standing in the world.”
The Clintons said they would back Harris — who Biden also endorsed — as the Democratic nominee.
“We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her,” the pair said, adding that they remain worried about a second Trump presidency.
“Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her. America’s future depends on it.”
The Dems chair says the nomination process will be 'orderly and transparent'
By Rachel Treisman
Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, says the party will undertake a "transparent and orderly" process to move forward "with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November."
Harrison said in a statement that that the process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party — and that the work ahead, "while unprecedented, is clear."
"As we move forward to formally select our Party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same – lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship," Harrison said.
He said the American people will hear from the Democratic Party "in short order" on next steps and "the path forward for the nomination process."
Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, but there are plenty of Democratic rising stars who have been mentioned as possible contenders — and the weeks before the August convention could be even more chaotic if the party doesn't coalesce around one nominee quickly. Here's more on what might happen next.
Pelosi calls Biden 'a patriotic American' and 'one of the most consequential presidents'
By Lexie Schapitl
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called President Biden "a patriotic American who has always put our country first."
"His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history," Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement. "With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment. God blessed America with Joe Biden's greatness and goodness."
In the days leading up to Biden's decision, reports leaked that Pelosi had directly appealed to Biden to step aside. Pelosi did not explicitly deny those reports, declining to comment out of respect for the "confidentiality of her meetings and conversations with the President of the United States."
It's been a whirlwind summer in politics. Here's a quick timeline
By Rachel Treisman
Historic political developments just keep coming. Here's a look back at some of the many major moments from the past few weeks:
- Former President Donald Trump is found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to influence the outcome of the 2016 election — aka the Stormy Daniels hush money case — becoming the first U.S. president convicted of criminal charges.
- President Biden and Trump face off in a televised debate on CNN, with Biden's poor performance raising alarms among Democrats about the strength of his candidacy.
- A landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling grants Trump (and all presidents) substantial immunity from prosecution, a controversial decision all but certain to delay Trump's election interference case beyond November.
- : Trump survives an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, sparking elected officials' calls for unity, scrutiny on his Secret Service protection and an outpouring of support for the former president, just days before the Republican National Convention.
- At the RNC, Trump announces Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate and the two accept their nominations. Republican politicians, family members, celebrities and voters show their support for the ticket in speeches over several days.
- A district judge in Florida dismisses the classified documents case against Trump, citing issues in how special counsel Jack Smith was appointed. Smith has appealed the decision.
- Biden tests positive for COVID-19. He enters quarantine in Delaware amidst the raging debate over his political future. Biden insisted he'd run, saying earlier this month that only the "Lord almighty" or a medical condition would change his mind.
- Biden announces he will not seek re-election and endorses Vice President Kamala Harris.
First lady Jill Biden responds to President Biden's statement
By Elena Moore
First lady Jill Biden reshared President Biden's statement, adding a heart emoji.
The Bidens have been married nearly 50 years and Jill Biden has been a constant figure throughout President Biden's career.
💕 https://t.co/VN2rZpyhVX
What happens now that Biden’s dropped out of the race
By Joe Hernandez
Tamara Keith
Now that Biden has officially dropped out of the race, there are questions about who becomes the Democratic nominee — and how they do it.
Nothing in the U.S. Constitution dictates how party candidates are chosen.
Because Biden easily won the Democratic primaries and caucuses earlier this year, delegates to the Democratic National Convention are currently “bound” to him, according to Democratic National Committee rules. But Biden has said they’re free to do whatever they want.
The DNC had also been planning a virtual roll call vote ahead of the August convention in Chicago, which could be more complicated now.
If the party doesn’t coalesce around one nominee, the weeks before the convention could be a race to woo the roughly 4,700 convention delegates expected to attend the event, which could turn into a competitive open convention with potentially multiple rounds of voting.
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Prominent pro-Biden young voter group says it's all in for Harris
By Elena Moore
President Biden had been struggling with young voters, and now some of the Gen Z groups that had stood by him are pivoting following his announcement to drop out of the race.
Voters of Tomorrow, which focuses on mobilizing young voters to turn out for Democrats, released a statement praising Biden for his first-term record and looking ahead to Harris' prospects.
"We thank President Joe Biden for delivering the most pro-youth agenda in American history. He saved democracy in 2020, rebuilt the economy, delivered the largest-ever climate action investment, and passed the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in our lifetime," according to the statement.
While Voters of Tomorrow loyally stood by Biden throughout his reelection run and defended his candidacy, a handful of youth-run groups had been more critical of the president, urging him to go further on policy to address climate change and push for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
Trump responds to Biden's announcement, calling him unfit for office
By Jeongyoon Han
In a post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump acknowledged Biden's announcement and said Biden was neither fit to run nor serve as president.
"He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement," Trump said, alluding again to his false claims that he won the 2020 election.
He added that the Biden administration is to blame for issues along the southern border, but vowed to "remedy" what he claims Biden is responsible for.
"We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, had already been attacking the Biden-Harris administration, and Democrats more broadly. At a rally in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, Trump and Vance took their campaign debut as an opportunity to rail against the uncertainty that had grown behind Biden's bid.
"[Democrats] have no idea who their candidate is, and neither do we. That’s a problem,” Trump said Saturday. “So we will see. Hopefully they get it worked out.”
Trump also personally attacked Harris in that speech, calling her "crazy."
Naomi Biden: 'I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop'
By Lexie Schapitl
Naomi Biden, President Biden's granddaughter, responded to the news that he will not be seeking reelection, writing on X, "I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden."
"Not only has he been—and will continue to be—the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history," she wrote. "Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours."
I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he been—and will continue to be—the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented…
Top House Republicans call on Biden to resign
By Danielle Kurtzleben
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik both called for Biden to step down not only as the Democratic presidential nominee, but as president.
Minutes after Biden posted his decision to drop out on X, Stefanik released a statement saying, "If Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must immediately resign."
Johnson followed suit minutes later, with his own statement: "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough.”
Biden endorses Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee
By NPR Washington Desk
Biden said on X that he endorses Vice President Kamala Harris to be the nominee, after he dropped out of the race.
"My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this."
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
Read the president's full statement on his decision
By Joe Hernandez
President Biden said in a statement on Sunday that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," he wrote. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
pic.twitter.com/RMIRvlSOYw
Biden thanked Vice President Kamala Harris and touted some accomplishments from his more than three years in office, including putting the first African American woman on the Supreme Court, combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and boasting "the strongest economy in the world."
The Democrat said he would speak the nation later this week to explain his decision in more detail.
"And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me," Biden said. "I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
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