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Election 2024 updates: Campaign renamed to 'Harris for President'

President Joe Biden was under heavy pressure from fellow Democrats.

Last Updated: July 21, 2024, 6:06 PM EDT

President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday came after heavy pressure from congressional Democrats, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and more than 30 House lawmakers.

Biden, 81, had resisted calls to step aside that grew almost daily following his poor performance in his June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump and persistent questions about his age and mental fitness. His decision comes just a few months before the Nov. 5 election.

Biden backed his vice president, Kamala Harris for the top of the ticket -- triggering many others in the party to issue statements backing Harris.

Watch the ABC News special, "Biden Stands Down: The Race for the White House," tonight from 7-9 p.m. ET on ABC and ABC News Live.

9 hours and 5 minutes ago

'Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad,' Hunter Biden says

President Joe Biden talks with his son Hunter Biden upon arrival at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, June 11, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, is reacting to his father's decision to drop out of the race saying he has looked at his father "in awe" for his entire life.

"How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others?" Hunter Biden said in a statement Sunday.

"Over a life time I have witnessed him absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans who he’s given his personal phone number to, because he wanted them to call him when they were hurting. When their last hopes were slipping through their hands," he said.

Hunter Biden said his father's unconditional love has been his North Star as a president and parent

"He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years," Hunter Biden said.

"I’m so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad," he wrote.

The son of President Joe Biden releases a statement reacting to his father’s political decision.
The son of President Joe Biden releases a statement reacting to his father’s political decision.
9 hours and 1 minute ago

Celebrities react to Biden dropping out of race

Celebrities from across the entertainment spectrum, including Cher and Jon Stewart are weighing in on President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 race for president applauding Biden's decision.

Talk show host and comedian Stewart reacted to the news with a one-word post on X shortly after President Biden’s announcement.

"Legend," wrote Stewart, seemingly reacting to Biden’s decision to leave the race, as well as his decades of public service.

Cher also commented on Biden's decision.

"Hadn’t Seen TV/Talked 2 Anyone,So Didn’t Know It Had Happened,” wrote Cher, who had urged Biden to “pass the baton“ on X moments earlier. “I Believe Its Only Chance 4:us: 2 Remain DEMOCRACY. DEM PARTY MUST ‘REALLY,’ ‘REALLY’ THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. ‘WINNING IS ALL’,DONT WIN CANT CHANGE ANYTHING & THE TIMES THEY MUST BE A CHANGIN,” she wrote.

9 hours and 15 minutes ago

Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell says it's a 'sad day' after Biden's exit

One of President Biden's closest allies, Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, mourned the end of Biden's presidential campaign while endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday.

President Joe Biden walks out to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Sept. 27, 2022.
Susan Walsh/AP

"I did endorse Kamala this afternoon because I believe Joe Biden has been a great President," Dingell said during an interview on MSNBC.

"I think it is a sad day and the way much of this has played out with the knives that have been put in his back," she said of Biden.

"If he is supporting Kamala Harris, that means that he thinks that she can do a good job and that is who I am supporting," Dingell continued, adding, "This party needs to unify."

9 hours and 19 minutes ago

Shock, heartbreak and relief among White House staffers

Upon learning President Joe Biden would end his race for a second term, White House staff members told ABC News how they’re feeling about the historic decision.

Staffers said emotions have been running high, and that -- blindsided by the announcement -- some had cried. One said he had been on his bike and nearly fell off when he heard the news.

Some said they felt shocked or heartbroken, but many expressed their relief.

"He made the right choice; acted in the best interest of the country,” one White House staff member said.

Others said they felt immense pride. "I will always be proud that I worked for him, and I think history will show him to be one of the greats,” one staffer said.

"Any Democratic president in the past 50-70 years would kill for some of the big wins Joe Biden has [gotten] across the finish line,” another said. “He is a good man and fierce defender of democracy."

-ABC News' MaryAlice Parks

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