Media reactions to President Joe Biden's announcement on Sunday that he will not run for a second term as president ranged from positive to negative, with some liberal commentators shocked and in tears.
CNN's Van Jones seemed shaken, likening Biden's withdrawal from the race to “getting the keys from your grandpa.” (Related article: Donald Trump's reaction to Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race)
“You just have to cry because it's someone you love, someone you care about. Someone who was there for you. Without him you wouldn't be here,” Jones said.
Van Jones said of Biden: “He's done the right thing for this country. He's done the right thing for this party.” pic.twitter.com/lVyuRSBFFg
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 21, 2024
Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware and co-chair of the Biden campaign, also shed tears on CNN as he reflected on Biden's “very difficult decision.”
CNN's Wolf Blitzer appeared stunned in a screenshot of the broadcast, shortly after posting a photo of himself enjoying a drink at El Presidente restaurant in Washington DC.
Wolf Blitzer is every political staffer today pic.twitter.com/cOl0Zfx1ja
— Abigail Jackson 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) July 21, 2024
MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, in a hushed voice and fighting back tears, praised Biden's decision.
Rachel Maddow reacts to President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
“What a man. What a patriot. What a selfless act of devotion to his country.” pic.twitter.com/hhEEoNkTbd
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 21, 2024
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough I have written Biden's decision and the Democratic Party are giving Americans a “new presidential choice.” The host of “Morning Joe,” Biden's favorite political show, previously said Biden was continuing the campaign because his aides had a “financial interest” in angering other Democrats.
Joe Biden puts country first, the Republican Party collapses. What a sign.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) July 21, 2024
Americans have been saying for years that they don't want a rematch of 2020. Democrats are now giving them a new choice.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) July 21, 2024
CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings questioned Biden's announcement letter, saying it was “interesting” that no photo of the president signing it had been released. CNN's Caitlin Collins fired back, pointing out that Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
.Scott Jennings KY: Is it interesting that we didn't see any photos of Joe Biden today? This is a big decision.
Also, the letter doesn't say why he's resigning. Why resign? He's the sitting president. Apparently he can no longer continue in that position… pic.twitter.com/y5k2Yus6Zr
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) July 21, 2024
Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024. Harris later released a statement thanking Biden for the decision.
On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and his decades of service to our country.
I am honored to have the President's endorsement, and my intention is to seek and win this nomination.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 21, 2024
The president will not resign and will serve out the remainder of his term.
