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Election 2024 updates: Harris in 1st campaign ad targets Trump legal woes

"What kind of country do we want to live in?" Harris says in the video.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Julia Reinstein, Lauren Peller, Nadine El-Bawab, Leah Sarnoff, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: July 24, 2024, 8:58 PM EDT

President Joe Biden gave an Oval Office address to the nation Wednesday night to explain why he dropped out of the presidential race and to outline what he hopes to do in his remaining six months in office.

Vice President Kamala Harris is pushing ahead with campaigning for president days after Biden's decision.

With enough delegates secured to become the presumptive Democratic nominee if they keep to their pledges, Harris has held her first campaign rallies. Donald Trump attacked Harris in North Carolina at his first rally since Biden decided against running for reelection.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing:
8:58 PM EDT

Gov. Josh Shapiro, potential Harris VP pick, reacts to speech

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who sources tell ABC News is one of the front-runners for the vice president spot, posted a statement on X following Biden's speech.

"A patriot, a President who has gotten historic stuff done, and a fighter for our country," he said. before thanking him for his service

8:47 PM EDT

Trump reacts to Biden speech on Truth Social

Former President Donald Trump made two posts on Truth Social reacting to Biden's speech, calling it "barely understandable, and sooo bad!"

He added that "CROOKED JOE BIDEN AND LYIN’ KAMALA HARRIS ARE A GREAT EMBARRASSMENT TO AMERICA"


In this photo posted to the social media account of Margo Martin, Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump watches President Joe Biden's speech, on July 24, 2024.
Margo Martin/X

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa

8:45 PM EDT

Jill Biden says her 'heart of full of gratitude'

First lady Jill Biden released a statement on X after the speech saying that her "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," she said.

8:44 PM EDT

White House staff, family in Oval Office give president ovation after speech

After the president concluded at 8:12 p.m., he was applauded by staff and family gathered in the Oval Office for about 60 seconds.

First lady Jill Biden and several of the president’s grandchildren sat in chairs positioned along the wall to the president’s left.

President Joe Biden delivers a prime-time address to the nation in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2024.
Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ashley Biden, the president’s daughter, sat next to her mother, with her eyes closed, taking several deep breaths during the first few minutes of the address.

The first lady held Ashley Biden’s hand towards the end.

President Joe Biden hugs his son Hunter Biden (R) after addressing the nation about his decision to not seek reelection, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2024.
Evan Vucci, Pool via AFP via Getty Images

PHOTO: President Joe Biden hugs his daughter Ashley Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2024.
President Joe Biden hugs his daughter Ashley Biden, alongside First Lady Jill Biden, his son Hunter Biden, and Hunter's daughter Finnegan Biden, after addressing the nation about his decision to not seek reelection, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2024.
Evan Vucc, Pool via AFP via Getty Images

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt watched from a monitor set up in the back of the room. The president’s top advisers, Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti, were also at the White House to observe the moment.

-ABC News' John Parkinson and Justin Gomez