President Joe Biden made his first live remarks since dropping out of the presidential race on Monday evening, speaking by phone to a crowd of staffers at campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.
“I know yesterday’s news was surprising and it was hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do,” Biden said, calling in as he recovers from COVID before Vice President Kamala Harris made the first stop of her presidential campaign.
“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” Biden said. “And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be out there in the campaign with her, with Kamala.”
Biden also stressed how important it still is to him to defeat Donald Trump.
“I won’t be on the ticket, but I’m still going to be fully, fully engaged,” he added.
Biden promised he would do anything Harris needed him to do to support her. He remained on the phone as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff introduced his wife.
“I’m watching you, kid,” Biden said as Harris began. “I love you.”
She held her hands to her heart.
The public appearance also served as virtual proof-of-life for Biden, who quickly became the subject of a series of bizarre right-wing conspiracies after his decision to withdraw from the 2024 campaign Sunday afternoon—including many who suggested that the president may be incapacitated in some way, or even dead.
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