Biden breaks his silence 24 hours after extraordinary decision to withdraw by calling his old campaign office during Kamala Harris’ visit
President Joe Biden broke his silence more than 24 hours after his extraordinary decision to withdraw from the 2024 race with a phone call to Kamala Harris’ campaign headquarters.
Speaking to campaign staff from COVID isolation at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the 81-year-old told Harris, “I’m watching you, son.”
He vowed to remain involved in the re-election fight and said he would continue to run the campaign, communicating over loudspeakers with his staff who now work for Harris.
Biden’s comments followed questions about why nothing had been heard from him since his shock announcement on X Sunday afternoon that he was stepping down.
“I know yesterday’s news was surprising and difficult for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do,” the 81-year-old president said.
“I know it’s hard because you’ve put your heart and soul into helping us win this award, helping me get this nomination, helping me win the nomination and then winning the presidency,” he continued.
There were already signs that the campaign had continued, with signs saying Posters on the office walls included “Harris for President,” “Kamala,” and “Restore Roe.”
Vice President Kamala Harris visits the Biden-Harris campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware on Monday
One wall in the Delaware office was still covered with signs bearing the “Biden-Harris” logo.
“I hope you give all of your heart and soul that you’ve given me to Kamala,” Biden said. “And I want you to know that I won’t be on the ticket, but I’m still going to be fully, fully committed.”
“I have six months left in my presidency, and I am determined to get as much done as I can — both in foreign policy and domestic policy,” he continued, speaking of “working to end the war in Gaza.”
The president added that he would “do whatever Kamala wants or needs me to do in addition.”
“Let me make it very clear. We are still fighting this battle together. I am not going anywhere,” the president said.
He has not been seen in public since Wednesday after testing positive for COVID-19. Biden is isolating at his Rehoboth Beach home, where he decided to end his re-election bid.
Biden’s campaign team was surprised by the news that he was dropping out of the 2024 race. They got the news via the X-mail on Sunday, just like the rest of the American people.
“Nobody knew until the tweet went out,” a campaign source told DailyMail.com on Sunday. “Which I think is an insane way to treat the 1,300 people who work for you,” the source added.
During an all-staff call at 5 p.m. Sunday, Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon assured her staff that their jobs would be preserved.
She also acknowledged that it was “difficult for staff who heard the news while they were at work or knocking on doors,” but that it was “important” that they heard it from the president “in his own words.”
Shortly after Biden posted the letter announcing his withdrawal from the race, he wrote in a follow-up post on X that he was supporting Harris to take his place as the Democratic presidential nominee.
