"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” he wrote in a letter. "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."
Biden has spent the weekend isolated at his Rehoboth, Delaware, home after a COVID diagnosis last week.
"I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision," Biden added.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Following an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination for president last week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Trump took to social media on Sunday, criticizing the Biden-Harris administration.
"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t..." the former president wrote.
The United States will hold its 2024 election on November 5. The next presidential inauguration is scheduled to be on January 20, 2025.
Biden holds tremendous sway in choosing his successor as the head of the party and winner of the previous primary elections.
"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..." Biden said in another statement on X later on Sunday.
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
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Frontrunners to replace Biden on the Democratic ticket include: Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - among others.
Despite the endorsement, Harris still has to win the votes of party delegates during a party convention in Chicago, Illinois, in August.
If Harris wins, she would be the first woman to be president in the United States.
Updated at 9:57 pm with the statement from Donald Trump
