US President Joe Biden will on Wednesday frame his exit from the 2024 election as a defense of democracy in what could be his last speech to the nation from the Oval Office. The 81-year-old is to say that the best way forward to unite a divided country is to "pass the torch" to new leadership, according to excerpts released by the White House. Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, to lead the Democratic Party into November's election, after he bowed to weeks of pressure following a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.
But in a sign that the election will remain deeply polarizing, Republican Trump lashed out at Harris during a rally as a "radical left lunatic" and described her as a "new victim to defeat." In his first speech since announcing his withdrawal, Biden will speak from the Oval Office of the White House, a powerfully symbolic setting used by US presidents for moments of grave historical import. "The defense of democracy is more important than any title," Biden is to say in the primetime speech due at 8:00 pm (0000 GMT Thursday).
"I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation." The veteran Democrat was also set to reject accusations that he will be a lame duck for the remaining six months of his one-term presidency.
"Over the next six months I will be focused on doing my job as president," he said, adding that he would keep trying to lower costs for families and def.