Washington DC

Amid pressure from the allies after the debate debacle, US President Joe Biden officially stepped down from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday (Jul 21).

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Not just his Republican rivals, Biden's own Democratic allies had mounted pressure on the 81-year-old's shoulders to 'pass the torch' and make way for an alternative with better winning prospects. Vice President Kamala Harris is the frontrunner for the party's ticket against Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election following her endorsement by Biden.

Reactions are pouring in from around the world as Biden officially takes the back seat. Here we look at some of them:

Donald Trump

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump took to his Truth Social app and said Biden was 'never' fit to serve as president.

"Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t - And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump wrote.

Vivek Ramaswamy

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Vivek Ramaswamy, meanwhile, struck a cautionary tone. On X, he wrote, "We’re not running against a candidate. We’re running against a system."

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Chuck Schumer

Majority Leader of the United States Senate Chuck Schumer thanked Joe Biden for being a "great leader".

"Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he's a truly amazing human being. His decision, of course, was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American."

Speaker Mike Johnson

Speaker Mike Johnson took it a step further. He asked Biden to leave the White House immediately. 

"If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately," he wrote.

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Jill Biden

Joe Biden's wife and the First Lady of the US Jill Biden just reacted with a heart emoji at Biden's post announcing his withdrawal.

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Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer has praised Biden saying he “is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump.”

“My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families’ costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan,” Whitmer said on X.

(With inputs from agencies)