First Lady Jill Biden made her first formal announcement following her husband Joe Biden’s announcement that he will not be running for president in 2024.
The first lady expressed her “full of gratitude” for everyone who has supported her and her husband throughout his first three and a half years in office in a message on Wednesday night to X, the old Twitter. Additionally, she reaffirmed her support for Vice President Kamala Harris, who as of Monday had amassed enough delegates to be officially nominated by the Democratic Party.
“To those who never wavered, to those who refused to doubt, to those who always believed, my heart is full of gratitude,” read the statement. “Thank you for the trust you put in Joe—now it’s time to put that trust in Kamala.”
The First Lady’s X post also included a handwritten copy of the statement. It was published minutes after the president gave his first speech to the country since withdrawing from the 2024 presidential campaign.
In the Oval Office speech, President Biden declared that he had withdrawn from the race in the “defense of democracy” and restated his support for Harris.
“I’m speaking to you tonight from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. In this sacred space, I’m surrounded by portraits of extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington showed us presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln implored us to reject malice. Franklin Roosevelt inspired us to reject fear. I revere this office, but I love my country more. It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title. I draw strength and find joy in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me, it’s about you. Your families, your futures. It’s about we the people. And we can never forget that. And I never have,” Biden said.
“I’ve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point. On those rare moments in history, when the decisions we make now determine our fate of our nation and the world for decades to come, America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division. We have to decide: Do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy. In this moment, we can see those we disagree with not as enemies but as, I mean, fellow Americans — can we do that? Does character in public life still matter? I believe you know the answer to these questions because I know you the American people, and I know this: We are a great nation because we are a good people. When you elected me to this office,” Biden added.
“But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation. I know there was a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now. Over the next six months, I will be focused on doing my job as president,” he continued.
Biden added: “Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pa., and in Claymont, Del., one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as the president of the United States, but here I am. That’s what’s so special about America. We are a nation of promise and possibilities. Of dreamers and doers. Of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things. I’ve given my heart and my soul to our nation, like so many others. And I’ve been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people. I hope you have some idea how grateful I am to all of you. The great thing about America is, here kings and dictators do not rule — the people do.”
