US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that it would not accept the Democratic nomination and seek re-election. Since then, social media has exploded with reactions from celebrities and politicians, including George Clooney, former president Barack Obama, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Legend and more.
On a post to XThe acting commander-in-chief, 81, shared that he would step aside and make way for Vice President Kamala Harris to accept the nomination after one term. Immediately, actors, singers and more began weighing in on the decision following the announcement.
“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 first decision as the party’s nominee in 2020 was to select Kamala Harris as my vice president,” Biden wrote in a message posted on X.
He continued, “And it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be our party’s nominee this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and defeat Trump. Let’s do this.”
It was just a few weeks ago that Clooney asked the president to drop out of the race on a New York Times opinion piece after the first debate between Biden and the Republican candidate, former president Donald Trump. In that debate, Biden stumbled several times and coughed profusely throughout the debate, leading many to question his ability to lead the country for another four years.
“Was he tired? Yes. Had a cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw,” Clooney wrote in his op-ed. “We’re all so terrified about the prospect of a second Trump term that we chose to ignore all the warning signs. The interview with George Stephanopoulos only reinforced what we saw last week.”
O Eleven men and a secret The actor’s sentiments were echoed in the weeks that followed by fellow Democrats and Biden voters, who cited his age and mental acuity as causes for concern. Biden’s resignation now paves the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to take over the nomination.
On Tuesday, in a statement to CNNClooney thanked Biden for his service and expressed his support for Harris.
“President Biden has shown what true leadership looks like. He is saving democracy once again. We are all excited to do what we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest,” the statement read. CNN read via a tweet from Jake Tapper.
Since Biden’s announcement on Sunday, reactions have continued to pour in from friends and co-workers of the former Delaware senator from his decades in politics — including Obama, 62, with whom he served in the White House from 2008 to 2016. In the post, Obama applauded Biden for stepping aside and thanked him for his service.
“Joe Biden was one of America’s most important presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we were also reminded – again – that he is a patriot of the highest order,” Obama wrote in a statement. long statement.
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I have come to admire even more is his character — his deep empathy and hard-won resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts,” he continued, adding, “I also know that Joe has never backed 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 most difficult of his life.”
“But I know he wouldn’t have made this decision unless he believed it was the right one for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love for his country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant who once again put the interests of the American people ahead of his own, and one that future generations of leaders will do well to follow,” the former president shared.
On Instagram, stars like Curtis, Legend and Hands Star Billy Eichner also thanked the POTUS for listening to growing concerns and allowing Democrats to reshape their ticket with four months to go until the general election.
“GOD BLESS YOU @joebiden for your LEADERSHIP, GRACE UNDER PRESSURE, STRENGTH and RESILIENCE! Your country THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!) 📷 @drewangerer,” Curtis, 65, wrote in an Instagram post.
“Thank you @joebiden. Now let’s unite because Donald Trump is a psychopath and a danger to our country and the entire world. As a wise man once shouted, GO LESBIANS, GO!!!!!!!!!! 🇺🇸🥳,” Eichner wrote, sharing a photo with Biden.
“Joe Biden has presided over the most consequential first term of real progress in my lifetime. He has helped us achieve the most robust recovery from the pandemic of any nation in the world, invested in our infrastructure, and made by far the largest investment in combating climate change that our nation has ever seen,” wrote Legend, 45.
The “All of Me” singer continued: “It has alleviated the burdensome college debt for many. Unemployment, inflation and crime have all dropped dramatically from their pandemic-induced peaks.”
Naomi Biden, the president’s granddaughter, took to X to share her thoughts on her grandfather’s decision to step down. In her post, she called Biden “the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history” and thanked him for his commitment to the country’s citizens.
“I am nothing but proud today of my father, our President, Joe Biden, who served our country with every ounce of his soul and with unparalleled distinction. Not only was he — and will continue to be — the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has arguably established himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history,” Naomi wrote in a message posted to X.
“He was at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every major issue our country and the world faced for 50 years. Our world is better off today in so many ways because of him. To the Americans who always supported him, keep the faith. He will always support us,” she wrote.
In response, Harris, a 59-year-old former California senator and San Francisco district attorney, issued a statement of its ownthanking Biden for his work and promising to unite the party towards the next elections.
“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. I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and I fully intend to win and earn this nomination,” she wrote on Sunday.
“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’ statement read.
See more celebrity reactions to Biden’s announcement below:
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