'Replacing Biden With Harris Will Only Worsen Problems': Republicans Attack Prez After His Address

Republican leader Scott DesJarlais in a post on X following Biden's Oval Office address said, "Biden left the American people tonight with more questions than answers. His abrupt exit from the race is either because his party convinced him he couldn’t win or his health and cognition is such that he should no longer be president—and I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive."

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi praised  President Joe Biden's decision to endorse Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee saying that it has generated a burst of energy and enthusiasm within the party, giving a chance to the party to win back the White House.
 

Republican leader Mary Miller launched a scathing attack at President Biden saying, "Having your mega-donors pick your ticket in a secret backroom deal is not "saving democracy." That is an oligarchy."

Biden had said, "I believe my record, my leadership, and my vision for our future merited a second term – but nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. The best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That's how we unite our nation."

After Joe Biden's speech at the Oval Office, First Lady Jill Biden took to X to express gratitude to supporters for trusting the US President and further urged people to support Kamala.

"To those who never wavered, to those who refused to doubt, to those who always believed, my heart is full of gratitude. Thank you for the trust you put in Joe—now it’s time to put that trust in Kamala. Love, Jill," it read. 

"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. Thank you, @POTUS," Obama said in a post. 

The Democrats on Thursday expressed gratitude to Joe Biden for his service as the US President. “I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation, ” Biden said earlier in the day. “Thank you, President @JoeBiden, for your service!,” the Democrats tweeted.

The party said in another tweet, “We put up billboards in Scranton and Wilmington to thank President @JoeBiden for his service. We’ve come so far in three and a half years—let’s finish the job in November.”

Donald Trump took a dig at US President Joe Biden, stating that the Democratic leader's recent speech was "barely understandable and so bad."

On his social media platform "Truth Social," Trump said, "Crooked Joe Biden’s Oval Office speech was barely understandable, and sooo bad!"

Donald Trump has reacted to Joe Biden’s speech. He posted on Truth Social that it (Biden’s speech) was “barely understandable” and that it was “a great embarrassment to America”. 

If you do want to read the full transcript of Biden’s speech, you can click here. 

Biden’s speech was rather brief. He spoke for merely 11 minutes. The American President tested positive for Covid a few days ago and is still recovering. 

You can read stories on our site which analyse his speech in an in-depth manner. 

This story looks at the top quotes from Biden’s speech. 

Kamala Harris watched Biden’s address to the nation from Houston. The city is still recovering from hurricane Beryl. 

Donald Trump watched Joe Biden’s Oval Office speech from his plane, whilst flying out after attending a rally in North Carolina. 

In a prime-time address from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden talked about his decision to abandon his bid for re-election, emphasizing the need for new and younger leadership in America.

President Biden, speaking from behind the Resolute Desk, conveyed his belief that while his record and leadership warranted a second term, the country would benefit more from fresh voices. “I revere this office, but I love my country more,” he stated. “Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition.”

Biden highlighted the importance of a new generation stepping up to lead the country. He underscored that his decision was not a surrender to concerns about his age or health, but rather a deliberate choice to pave the way for younger leaders. “It is time for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices,” he declared.

The speech marked Biden’s first public comments since designating Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. Biden expressed strong confidence in Harris, describing her as “experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable” and urging voters to support her over former President Donald J. Trump.

Central to Biden’s message was his unwavering dedication to protecting American democracy. He reiterated that safeguarding the nation’s democratic principles was paramount, transcending personal ambitions. “Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” he affirmed.

President Biden’s speech, filled with a mix of reflection and resolve, sets the stage for the Democratic Party as it gears up for the upcoming election, with Vice President Harris at the forefront.

“I believe my record as President, my leadership in the world, and my vision for America’s future, all merited a second term,” he said. 

However, he quickly went on to add that “but nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy”. 

Biden used his speech to talk against political polarisation. “In this moment, we can see those we disagree with not as enemies but as fellow Americans,” he said.

It is important to remember that this speech comes on the heels of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Political polarisation is quite high in US right now. 

The central theme of Biden’s speech was sacrifice. Biden implied that he withdrew from the race to defend democracy. 

“I revere this office, but I love my country more. It has been the honour of my life to serve as your president,” he said. 

In his speech, Biden praised Harris. 

“She’s experienced; she’s tough; she’s capable,” Biden said. 

Biden has concluded his 4th Oval Office address to the nation. 

Biden says that in America, kings and dictators don’t rule, the people do. 

Biden spent a considerable portion of his speech talking about American democracy. 

In his speech, Biden asked if character still matters in public life. This is an indirect reference to Donald Trump. 

In his political speeches, Biden has often attacked Donald Trump’s character. 

“It is not about me. It is about me,” says Biden. 

Biden is now talking about all the important decisions he has taken in his presidency. He also touched upon how the world has changed during his tenure. 

Biden says that “not even personal ambition can come in the way to saving democracy”. He adds that it is time for younger voices. 

Biden says that “Presidents are not kings”. He explains that he is stepping down to “defend democracy”. 

 

Biden has started his address to the nation. This is his first public speech since his withdrawal from the 2024 race. 

 

In his speech, Biden is expected to say that “I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights — from the right to vote to the right to choose.”

According to a report from the New York Times, Biden is expected to say that “the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”

He will start speaking in around 10 minutes. This will be Biden’s fourth address to the nation from the Oval Office. 

President Joe Biden will address the nation tonight for the first time since announcing he is ending his re-election campaign and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. His speech, which will air live from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (5:30 AM IST), comes as a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party, significantly altering its political landscape.

The address will be streamed live by C-SPAN. 

Biden, who has been recovering from COVID-19 at his beach home in Delaware, has largely stayed out of the public eye since last week. He announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race in a letter posted on X (formerly Twitter). 

On Monday, Biden called into a meeting led by Harris at their former joint campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. He assured attendees that he would be “fully, fully engaged” in supporting Harris's candidacy.

This rare address will focus on his reasons for stepping away and his plans for the remaining months of his presidency.

Biden’s announcement came three days ago in a letter to "my fellow Americans," where he revealed his decision to leave the campaign trail. The move followed a month of mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party, spurred by concerns over his age and his ability to face off against former President Donald Trump in a second term.

In his letter, Biden stated, "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President." He continued, "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term." He also promised to provide more details about his decision in his upcoming address.