Political shockwaves were figuratively radiated throughout the United States on the afternoon of Sunday, July 21st when Joe Biden announced he would be suspending his campaign for re-election to the office of the presidency less than four calendar months from the general presidential election occurring in November 2024. Biden has faced intense political pressure from media officials and fellow Democrats following his disastrous debate performance in the first round of presidential discourse with the Republican nominee Donald Trump on June 27th. Biden appeared incoherent on the debate stage and Trump was the stronger candidate. Democrats have pushed Biden out, and while Biden announced he would be suspending his campaign, he stated that he would not be resigning from the presidency and would finish out his term of service. Biden immediately endorsed Kamala Harris, his Vice President, as a potential successor.
Harris raised $50 million for a potential campaign in the 24 hours that passed since Biden’s announcement. While other prominent Democrats like Hillary Clinton, Phil Murphy, Gavin Newsom, and Josh Shapiro have all endorsed Harris, it remains to be seen whether or not she will be confirmed as the party nominee. There is still a chance that the Democratic National Convention will feature an open nomination contest in late August. CBS media official Margaret Brennan stated that it would be political suicide for any Democrat to oppose Harris for the nomination.
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, stated that Kamala Harris would be easier to defeat than Biden. Trump has been triumphant following his survival of a near-assassination attempt in Butler Pennsylvania on July 13th. Trump has attacked Biden and claimed he is not fit to serve as president. Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, called for Biden to resign. Biden’s decision to drop out came at a time when he remained in a close race in polls, with many showing a dead heat between him and Donald Trump.