Throughout history, numerous speeches have been delivered from the Oval Office. However, President Joe Biden’s address on Wednesday night, shortly after announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, stands out for its somber and reflective tone.
Seated at the Resolute Desk, a place where countless Presidents before him have addressed the nation during times of crisis and decision-making, Biden sought to solidify his legacy as a leader who prioritized the defense of democracy over personal ambition. “I revere this office, but I love my country more,” he stated regarding his decision to step aside from the race, with his wife Jill Biden and family members present in the room. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your President. But in defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title.”
“I believe my record as President, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term,” he continued. “But nothing—nothing—can come in the way of saving our democracy, and that includes personal ambition. The best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation.”
This primetime address marked Biden’s first public remarks since stepping aside and handing the reins to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for President. Biden’s withdrawal followed a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump last month, where he appeared frail and struggled to articulate his positions effectively. The debate, widely perceived as a turning point, exposed vulnerabilities and concerns about his age that had been simmering since his initial campaign against Trump in 2020.
Biden, at 81 years old, explained his decision to abruptly abandon his reelection bid after previously asserting his intention to remain in the race, declaring that the time has come for a new generation of leadership in America. “There’s a time and a place for long years of experience in public life,” he said. “There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
He commended Harris and urged voters to choose her over Trump in the November election, describing his 59-year-old Vice President as “experienced,” “tough,” and “capable” and emphasizing that democracy is at risk in this election.
“The idea of America lies in your hands,” Biden said as he alluded to the weight of the presidency and asserted that the character of a President still matters. “In this sacred space, I’m surrounded by portraits of extraordinary American Presidents,” he said at the beginning of his speech. “Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington showed us Presidents are not kings.”
“I ran for President four years ago because I believed and still do that the soul of America was at stake,” Biden added, without mentioning former President Trump by name. “The very nature of who we are was at stake. That is still the case.”
In response to Biden’s address, Trump took to social media to criticize his delivery, calling the President “barely understandable” and “sooo bad.” Biden stumbled over a few words, but the speech did not contain significant errors.
Biden reflected on his decades-long public service career and lauded the American system of government that enabled him to ascend to the highest office, starting with his election to the Senate in 1973. Despite challenges and setbacks, including criticisms of his debate performance, Biden used his speech to enumerate his accomplishments as President, including efforts to address climate change and the appointment of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. He also outlined his priorities for the remaining months of his presidency, focusing primarily on foreign policy. Biden vowed to strengthen NATO in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and stated he would “keep working to end the war in Gaza, bring home all hostages, and bring peace and security to the Middle East.”
He also expressed his hope for further progress on the Cancer Moonshot, an initiative he launched in 2016 to combat the disease that took the life of his son Beau and millions of Americans, and pledged to push for Supreme Court ethics reforms during his final months in office.
“It’s been the privilege of my life to serve this nation over 50 years,” Biden said. “Nowhere else on earth could a kid with a stutter—from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware—one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States. But here I am.”