President Joe Biden‘s family and longtime, loyal staff cried as he addressed the nation about his decision to exit the 2024 campaign.
Biden was surrounded by his loved ones and those who helped make his political career as he spoke from the Oval Office.
They applauded when he finished his 11-minute speech but they also wiped away tears.
PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE
First lady Jill Biden, his wife of 47 years, was the first by his side after he finished. She joined him at the Resolute Desk followed by son Hunter, who gave his dad a hug.
Hunter’s daughter Finnegan and the Bidens’ daughter Ashley also hugged the president with Finnegan wiping away tears as she turned away from her grandfather.
Ashley’s husband Howard Krein was also present as were other Biden grandchildren including Naomi Biden Neal and her husband Peter Neal, young Hunter Biden (the late Beau Biden’s son) and Maisy Biden.
Staff in the room included Mike Donilon, Biden’s longtime aide who has been there since the start of his political career; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and Biden’s deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini.
WHAT BIDEN SAID
‘This has been the honor of a lifetime,’ the president told them.
Then the crew joined other staff out in the Rose Garden, where ice cream – the president’s favorite treat – was being served. ‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher’ – one of Biden’s campaign songs – was playing.
WHY BIDEN PASS THE TORCH
In his speech, Biden outlined his reasons for exiting the 2024 campaign while making the argument he could serve another four years if he chose.
He said he chose to ‘pass the torch’ to Vice President Kamala Harris because he believed it would unit the country and save democracy.
