Joe Biden abandons presidential race and endorses Kamala Harris | BBC News

Joe Biden has become the first president in almost 60 years to abandon a campaign for re-election.

The president announced the news on social media and stated that he would be supporting the vice-president Kamala Harris in the race to become the Democratic Party’s nominee. Ms Harris said “my intention is to earn and win this nomination”.

Mr Biden has long faced questions about his ability to serve a second term as president. A disastrous stumbling TV debate with the Republican candidate Donald Trump brought the criticism to a head and had led to pressure from senior Democrats for Mr Biden to withdraw from the race.

Following Mr Biden’s announcement, former President Barack Obama called him “one of America’s most consequential presidents”. Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, also praised Joe Biden and his decision to step aside.

Donald Trump said Mr Biden “was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve”. Some senior Republicans in Congress called on Mr Biden to resign immediately as President rather than serving the remainder of his term of office.

Sumi Somaskanda presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith and Nada Tawfik.

#BBCNews

[theprinceofpie]

I wonder if we will now see nonstop MSM coverage saying Trump is too old.

[KevinVance-wo]

That is one noisy air conditioner in the main studio!

[SecondFleshMusic]

3:02 Hillary Clinton edged out Bernie Sanders for the Democrat nomination, NOT Biden. Joe Biden did not run for president in 2016. Pretty bad mistake to make as a news broadcaster, BBC. Do better than that.

[sensibledriver]

Jeez, she is less popular than Biden.

[jt.]

He didn't abandon anything. He was pushed out.

[PopularesVox]

In the world's foremost democracy, it's political donors who decide who gets to sit in the White House.

[beandinner]

What a totally unbiased BBC headline. Glad I haven't paid my TV license in almost a decade.

[David-bwis]

There's not much difference between Biden and Harris, one can probably read a teleprompter while cackling at everything and the other can't, and that's your lot. 😊

[leechristy]

Ahhh the BBC, who described last weeks assassination attempt as "popping noises" 🤣

[techk]

So they're retiring the knackered horse from the race, and entering the donkey instead...

[francessimmonds]

He didn’t “abandon” the race he was forced out. Probably for the best, let’s hope so for everyone’s sake.

[QZDog]

81 year old decides not to work in the worlds highest profile job until he’s 85

[xeclypsx]

I’m willing to wager that he’ll wake up the next day thinking that he’s still running for president.

[marychadburn]

If you in USA have any sense you Will NOT put trump in again 👍🇬🇧

[misterfischer]

Stepping aside 4 years later than he should have.

[patcomerford]

Thank you President Biden for your service. ❤

[bernardoseuc]

I’d hate to be Biden when he finds out he quit!
😂🤣😹

[jasminam]

Kamala, unburdened by what has been? 😂😂😂 oh, man, "modern politics" are such a joke!

[jcshay]

The pivot is far too late with 15 weeks until the vote. Also Kamala Harris is an extremely unpleasant person.

[pizzyp]

Putting Kamila in the line up,
Is like give your children to that drunk auntie to look after, like it's your last choice of desperation to fill a position.😁