What to know about Biden's Oval Office speech
- President Joe Biden addressed the nation tonight from Oval Office in a speech that will be replayed throughout history.
- Biden explained his decision to end his re-election campaign, saying he was putting personal ambition aside "in the defense of democracy."
- Biden didn't mention former President Donald Trump by name, but the implication was clear: He sees Trump as a threat to the republic and doesn't believe he has the best shot to beat him in the November election.
- Biden praised Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he endorsed for president, as "experienced," "tough" and "capable."
- “I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation,” Biden said.
Obama thanks Biden after his address
Obama thanked Biden on social media after his prime-time speech.
“'The sacred cause of this country is larger than any one of us.' Joe Biden has stayed true to these words again and again over a lifetime of service to the American people," Obama said, referring to a line in Biden's Oval Office address. "Thank you, @POTUS."
White House staff celebrates Biden's address
After his Oval Office speech, Biden spent a private moment with his family in a White House dining room.
Reporters on the White House lawn could hear hundreds of administration employees cheering for Biden when his address wrapped. There were chants of "POTUS, POTUS, POTUS" and "Let's go, Joe!"
Biden then addressed the staffers for several minutes, though his exact remarks were unclear. Staffers celebrated with ice cream, too.
RFK Jr. now has Secret Service protection
The Secret Service said independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. now has a protective detail.
Kennedy has had protection since July 17, the agency said.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said July 15 that Biden had directed him to work with the Secret Service to provide protection. The attempted assassination of Trump took place on July 13.
Trump bashes Biden's Oval Office address
Trump called Biden's Oval Office speech "barely understandable" in a post on Truth Social.
Trump's senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita posted a photo on X of Trump watching the address from his private plane after a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Harris watched Biden's Oval Office address from Houston
Harris watched the president's Oval Office speech tonight from Houston, a White House official said.
The vice president, whom Biden endorsed to succeed him, is in Texas for a two-day trip that includes a speech tomorrow to the American Federation of Teachers.
Trump turns his focus to Harris at his first rally after Biden’s exit from the race
Trump, speaking at his first campaign rally since Biden ended his re-election bid, redirected a torrent of attacks today at Harris, the de facto Democratic nominee.
“As you know, three days ago, we officially defeated the worst president in the history of our country, Joe Biden,” Trump told his crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina. “So now we have a new victim to defeat: lyin’ Kamala Harris … the most incompetent and far-left vice president in American history.”
Trump acknowledged at the top of his 90-minute speech that he was leaving behind the sunnier persona and themes of unity that he and other Republicans had suggested they would stick to after he survived an assassination attempt July 13. He repeatedly mispronounced Harris’ first name and at one point, using the catchphrase from his old NBC reality show “The Apprentice,” declared: “Kamala, you’re fired!”
In his address to the nation, Biden explained his decision to end his re-election campaign, saying he was putting personal ambition aside “in the defense of democracy.” NBC News’ Kristen Welker breaks down Biden’s struggle to end his campaign.
Jill Biden tweets thank you note to 'those who never wavered'
First lady Jill Biden tweeted from her personal account a handwritten thank you note on her stationery to “those who never wavered,” encouraging them to “put that trust in Kamala.”
She posted the message at 8:22 p.m., shortly after the president finished his address.
First lady Jill Biden joins family inside the Oval Office during speech
Members of Biden’s family, including first lady Jill Biden and his son Hunter, watch as he speaks to the nation from the Oval Office.
Biden delivered a historic address from the Oval Office tonight, explaining his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. He highlighted his accomplishments in office and said it is time to “pass the torch to the new generation.”