UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his respect for US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming presidential race, acknowledging Biden’s “remarkable career.”
“I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” Starmer posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people,” he added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also praised Biden for his years of service. “I’ve known President Biden for years,” he wrote on X. “He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians — and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered similar sentiments. “My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world,” Scholz wrote on X. “His decision not to run again deserves respect.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden for his long-standing support for Israel. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades-long career,” Herzog wrote on social media.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk paid tribute to Biden, noting the impact of his decisions. “You’ve taken many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America, and the world are safer, and democracy stronger,” Tusk wrote on X. “I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life,” he added.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump criticized Biden, asserting he was “not fit to run” and “is certainly not 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! … We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump posted on his Truth Social network.
Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in light of his decision. However, Trump’s campaign team was quick to criticize Harris, saying she would be “even worse” than Biden. “Harris will be even worse for the people of our nation than Joe Biden. Harris has been the Enabler in Chief for Crooked Joe this entire time. They own each other’s records, and there is no distance between the two,” the campaign said in a statement.
Following Biden’s announcement, Democratic Party chair Jaime Harrison assured that the party would hold a “transparent and orderly” process to select a new nominee. “In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November,” Harrison said in a statement praising Biden.