Short Summary
In July 2024, multiple media outlets including NBC News and Newsweek reported that President Joe Biden's family members had begun discussing a potential withdrawal from the
2024 presidential election following concerns about his
debate performance against Republican nominee Donald Trump in late June. According to these reports, which cited unnamed sources close to the discussions, the Biden family—including First Lady Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden, sister Valerie Owens, and longtime aides—were reportedly focused on creating a dignified exit strategy that would preserve Biden's legacy while positioning Democrats for electoral success, with considerations about the impact on his health, family, and national stability at the forefront; this occurred amid mounting pressure from over two dozen elected Democrats calling for Biden to step aside, including Senator Jon Tester of Montana, and fears about potential losses in Senate and House races, though the White House categorically denied these reports through spokesman Andrew Bates who stated, "That is not happening, period," while Biden himself reportedly told Rev. Al Sharpton, "With all the rumors that I'm leaving, I'm not," as key dates approached including the Democratic National Convention scheduled for August 19-22, 2024, with analysts noting significant questions remained about succession planning and whether Vice President Kamala Harris would become the presumptive nominee or if there would be an abbreviated competition within the party for the nomination.
Long Summary
Introduction
On July 19, 2024, both NBC News and Newsweek reported that President Joe Biden's family members had begun discussing a potential withdrawal from the
2024 presidential election. These discussions reportedly focused on creating a dignified exit strategy that would preserve Biden's legacy while positioning Democrats for electoral success against Republican nominee Donald Trump in the November general election.According to NBC News, which cited "two people familiar with the discussions," Biden family members specifically discussed how the president "would want to end his re-election bid on his own timing and with a carefully calculated plan in place." The report noted that "considerations about the impact of the campaign on his health, his family and the stability of the country are among those at the forefront of the discussions."
White House Response
The White House has categorically denied these reports. Spokesman Andrew Bates stated: "That is not happening, period. The individuals making those claims are not speaking for his family or his team—and they will be proven wrong. Keep the faith."Similarly, Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon insisted on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that Biden is "absolutely" still in the race, acknowledging: "We know that we've slipped a bit from the debate, and we know that the president has to prove to the American people exactly what he believes. That he's in this to win this. He can do it."
Biden's Debate Performance Context
The catalyst for these reported exit discussions was Biden's performance in the first
presidential debate against former President Donald Trump approximately three weeks prior to the reports (late June 2024).According to the Newsweek article, "Biden sounded hoarse and appeared to stumble through several answers, doing little to quell concerns about his age among many voters." The Biden campaign initially attributed his performance to a cold during the debate.The situation intensified when
Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, forcing him to isolate at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, during this critical period of campaign uncertainty.
Key Family Members Involved
According to NBC News reporting, Biden's inner circle for these exit plan discussions includes:- First Lady Jill Biden- His son Hunter Biden- His sister Valerie Owens- Several longtime close aidesThe family's reported focus has been ensuring any potential exit would preserve Biden's dignity and legacy after more than five decades of public service while positioning the Democratic Party for electoral success.
Democratic Party Pressure
The reporting indicates escalating pressure from within the Democratic Party:The Newsweek article states that "more than two dozen elected Democrats have called on Biden to step aside, citing concerns about his ability to defeat Trump." It specifically mentions Senator Jon Tester of Montana, who announced his position on Thursday, July 18, stating: "I have worked with President Biden when it has made Montana stronger, and I've never been afraid to stand up to him when he is wrong. And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term."NBC News reported that concerns extend beyond the presidency to potential losses in Senate and House races. Brian Wolff, treasurer of the House Majority PAC, was quoted saying: "The House is on the brink. These candidates don't deserve that."
Biden's Personal Response
According to NBC News, Biden told Rev. Al Sharpton in a phone call on Monday, July 15: "With all the rumors that I'm leaving, I'm not." Sharpton said he responded: "I will support whatever you decide."The article characterized the president as "politically fighting for his life" and being in a "reflective" state. A person close to the Bidens was quoted saying: "We don't even know what we're doing tomorrow," regarding whether any announcement was imminent.
Timeline Considerations
Several important dates frame this developing situation:- Late June 2024: First presidential debate that sparked concerns- July 13, 2024: Assassination attempt on Donald Trump (mentioned in the NBC News article)- July 17, 2024: Biden tests positive for COVID-19- July 18, 2024:
Trump formally accepts Republican nomination- July 19, 2024: Reports emerge of family exit plan discussions- August 19-22, 2024:
Scheduled Democratic National ConventionSuccession Planning
Neither article provides extensive details on succession planning, though both mention Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential successor.The Newsweek article quotes Meena Bose of Hofstra University stating that Biden would need to make decisions quickly "so Democrats can plan accordingly," particularly regarding "whether Vice President Harris becomes the presumptive nominee or if there will be an abbreviated competition within the party for the nomination."Newsweek notes that "Democrats could nominate their candidate prior to the convention in a virtual roll call."
Analysis and Implications
The unprecedented nature of these reports about a sitting president potentially withdrawing from reelection creates significant political uncertainty for the Democratic Party. While multiple sources indicate discussions about Biden's potential exit are occurring, the president and his official campaign representatives maintain publicly that he remains in the race.This tension between reported private deliberations and public statements reflects the extraordinary political moment facing the Democratic Party as it navigates concerns about Biden's electoral viability while maintaining organizational cohesion heading into the critical final months of the 2024 presidential election campaign.The coming days may prove decisive as Biden weighs personal and family considerations against party electoral calculations in what could become one of the most consequential political decisions in modern presidential history, with significant implications for the 2024 presidential election outcome.Articles Analyzed:
NBC News and
Newsweek*There may be errors on this page.
