SHOCK CLAIMS
Donald Trump claims Joe Biden doesn’t have Covid and says he’s a ‘threat to democracy’ as president ends re-election bid
Biden released a statement detailing his decision to end his reelection bid
DONALD Trump baselessly claimed that Joe Biden doesn't have Covid and branded the president a threat to democracy.
The presidential candidate's comments came hours after shockingly withdrew from the 2024 on Sunday afternoon.
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, who continued his campaign trail in Michigan on Saturday, a week after surviving an assassination attempt, launched a slew of criticism at the president after the withdrawal announcement.
The businessman accused Biden of lying about having Covid after being intimidated and "obliterated" at the presidential debate last month.
"Biden never had Covid. He is a threat to Democracy!" he on Truth Social.
"Does anybody really believe that Crooked Joe had Covid?" he asked in another .
"He wanted to get out ever since June 27th, the night of The Debate, where he was completely obliterated.
"That was the big moment in Joe Biden’s demise. That was the point in time when Joe was revealed for what he is, an incompetent man who should never have been President."
There is no evidence that Biden or the White House is lying about the president's positive Covid test.
Trump's criticisms against the president continued and did not just focus on his health.
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"He is the worst president in the history of our country," the former president added during a heated phone call with .
Trump added on social media that Biden only succeeded in 2020 because of "lies" and "fake news."
"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," Trump wrote.
"We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Biden’s failed re-election bid from debate disaster and Dem betrayals to impulsive decision to quit
His rants continued on Monday when Trump also the Democrats of "stealing the race from Biden" after his performance at the debate in Atlanta.
"He loses the Debate badly, then panics, and makes mistake after mistake, is told he can’t win, and decide they will pick another candidate, probably Harris," the former president said.
"They stole the race from Biden after he won it in the primaries — A First! These people are the real THREAT TO DEMOCRACY!"
President Biden caved into pressure from top and donors after the fallout of his disastrous presidential debate against Trump on June 27 following a series of other public blunders.
BIDEN BOWS OUT
In a statement posted on X at 1:47 pm on Sunday, Biden said he was ending his campaign for the good of the .
It comes as...
- Biden admits stepping aside is "in the best interest" of the Democratic Party
- He immediately endorses Vice President Kamala Harris, who vows to "earn" the Democratic nomination
- Trump slams Biden as the "worst president in history" and says Kamala will be "easier to defeat"
- House Speaker Mike Johnson, GOP VP nominee JD Vance and other GOP call on Biden to resign if he’s "not fit to run"
- Expert warns Biden dropping out is bad news for Republicans
- Bill and Hillary Clinton endorse Harris but Barack Obama doesn't
- Timeline reveals Biden's failed re-election bid from debate disaster to Democrat betrayals
- Gavin Newsom tops list of names floated as possible replacements for Biden
"Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation," Biden said, addressing the American public.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President.
"And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
The president said he plans on speaking to the country further about his decision later this week.
"For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work.
"And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
"I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do — when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."
Possible replacements for the Democratic presidential candidate
Several names have been floated for who will replace Joe Biden now that he has sensationally dropped out of the 2024 race.
- Kamala Harris: Biden has endorsed his Vice President and many have deemed her the natural successor, however, she has low approval ratings
- Gavin Newsom: California's governor, who has been a staunch supporter of President Biden
- Gretchen Whitmer: Current Michigan governor who labeled herself a "progressive" Democrat
- Hillary Clinton: Former Secretary of State and failed 2016 presidential candidate. She initially denied rumors and stated she backs Biden
- J.B. Pritzker: Governor of Illinois and cofounder of the Pritzker Group, a private investment firm
- Josh Shapiro: Governor of Pennsylvania and former attorney general for the state
JOE ENDORSES KAMALA
Biden said he intends to finish the remainder of his term and fully endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.
"My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden said in a follow-up statement.
"My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President.
"And it's been the best decision I've made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.
What happens next as Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race?
President Biden has finally heeded calls to drop his bid for re-election, throwing the 2024 election into chaos. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris but naming a new Democratic nominee won't be a simple process. Here's what's next after Biden's stunning announcement.
Biden secured nearly 4,000 delegates by winning state caucuses and primaries earlier this year. He was set to officially be named the Democratic nominee at a virtual vote ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19.
Democratic party rules don't allow Biden to simply pass his 3,896 delegates to Harris or another candidate.
Harris will now have to convince those nearly 4,000 delegates and 700 superdelegates to support her and name her nominee.
However, delegates are free agents who can choose to support whichever candidate they want - likely without input from voters at this stage since primaries and caucuses were already held.
All eyes are now on the previously planned virtual vote - where the Democratic party could choose a nominee before the DNC begins.
Biden's endorsement of Harris will likely sway delegates and no one has publicly challenged her as a candidate - but delegates are not required to back her. Even if the virtual vote isn't held, the party could still choose Harris or another candidate before the convention.
If Democrats don't name their nominee before the DNC, it'll be the first open and contested convention since 1968.
"Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this."
Trump laughed off Harris as being the potential Democratic Party's presidential nominee, telling CNN, "She'll be easier to defeat."
Meanwhile, fellow Democrats have rallied around the vice president as the party prepares to nominate their chosen candidate at the Democratic National Convention in Illinois next month.
Harris is "battle-tested and ready to go," Sen. Elizabeth Warren told on Sunday night.
"I don't have any doubts about Kamala Harris' ability to win."
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DEMS PRAISE JOE BIDEN
California Governor , whose name has been coined as a potential candidate to replace Biden on the ballot, praised the commander-in-chief for his leadership.
"President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president - a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans," Newsom said in an X post.
"He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Thank you, Joe Biden."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed Newsom's remarks, "President Joe Biden is one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history.
"In less than one term, he rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, enacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans, and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief.
"America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace, and dignity. We are forever grateful."
Jeffries made no mention of Vice President .
Timeline of Biden's failed re-election bid
President Joe Biden endured weeks of calls to step aside before he announced on July 21 that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. Here are key developments leading up to his decision.
June 27: Biden's disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump sparks calls for him to step aside. His voice is raspy and he trails off several times after having already endured questions about his age and mental capacity following a series of blunders at public events.
July 2: Polls after the debate indicate that Trump is pulling ahead. Rep. Lloyd Doggett is the first Democratic congressman to publicly urge Biden to drop his bid for re-election and big Democratic donors issue the same call a day later.
July 5: Biden does a live TV interview with George Stephanopoulos where he tries to quell fears about his age and debate performance. He calls it a "bad night" and says he was under the weather and "exhausted."
July 10: Senator Peter Welch becomes the first senator to call for Biden to drop out.
July 11: Biden refers to Ukrainian President Zelensky as President Putin at a NATO event.
July 13: Trump is shot at a campaign rally by a wannabe assassin. His popularity and favorability rating soar after he was seen bloodied on stage but walked off with a fist in the air, telling the crowd to "fight!"
July 17: Rep Adam Schiff and a series of other Democrats call for Biden to step aside and even former President Barack Obama tells allies that Biden's path to victory has "greatly diminished." Biden tests positive for Covid-19 hours later, after saying he would consider ending his bid if he were diagnosed with "some medical issue."
July 19: Biden insists he will continue campaigning in his first statement since Obama's U-turn - despite reports that he would decide to drop out by the weekend.
July 21: Just before 2 pm, Biden announces he is stepping aside in the 2024 election and endorses VP Kamala Harris.
Bill and Hillary Clinton rallied behind Biden and threw their full support for Harris to take the mantle.
"We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what's best for the country.
"We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her.
"We've lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term.
"He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution.
"Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we've got to elect her. America's future depends on it."
Former President praised his former vice president's decision to drop out of the race, calling the move a testament to the US leader's "love of the country."
"Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order," Obama wrote in a post.
"Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again.
"He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits.
"Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
"More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration.
"Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best — a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life.
"This outstanding track record gave President Biden every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started.
"Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election — how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress."
Obama said Biden's decision to step down was "surely one of the toughest choices" he's made.
"I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life.
"But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America.
"It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow."
Obama warned the nation is cutting a new path with no nominee for the Democratic Party less than a month before the Democratic National Convention.
"We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.
"I believe that Joe Biden’s vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August.
"And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond."
REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLD
With the Democratic National Convention slated to start on August 19 in , the blue party must now scramble to find a nominee with President Biden officially out of the race.
Republicans united behind vice president nominee and Donald Trump, who survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Trump suffered a one-inch wound that extended from the top of his right ear to the cartilaginous surface of his ear, according to his physician, Ronny Jackson.
Joe Biden's full letter announcing his withdrawal from campaign
On Sunday, July 21, 2024, 46th US president Joe Biden posted a letter X, formerly known as Twitter, announcing he's stepping down from the 2024 presidential race.
My Fellow Americans,
Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together.
We just have to remember we are the United States of America
Would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, came within inches of killing former President Trump with an AR rifle.
Crooks had crawled on his belly along the roof of a warehouse and took aim as Trump spoke on the podium in front of thousands of supporters.
Trump, 78, was clipped in the ear by one of the bullets but later said it was a miracle he was still alive after the attempt on his life, which left one rally attendee dead and two critically injured.
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Secret Service snipers killed Crooks, and a major security review is now underway.
A clear motive behind Crooks' shooting has not been established.
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Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks?
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was identified as the would-be assassin who tried to kill Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, during a campaign rally in Butler Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Who is Thomas Matthew Crooks?
- Thomas Matthew Crooks left few clues about his identity, and investigators said he did not have a social media presence.
- What is known is Crooks was from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, a small suburb about 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh.
- He lived with his parents, Mary Elizabeth Crooks and Matthew Brian Crooks.
- The Crooks have been licensed professional counselors since 2002, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State Licensing System Verification service.
- Thomas Matthew Crooks attended and graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022.
- In May 2024, Crooks graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County with an associate degree in engineering science, the school revealed.
- Crooks was previously employed as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
- He was a registered Republican but made a small $15 donation to a progressive political group in January 2021.
- Crooks did not have a criminal history in Pennsylvania.
How did Thomas Crooks obtain the rifle used in the shooting?
- Federal investigators believe the AR-15-style rifle Thomas Crooks used in the shooting on July 13 was legally purchased and registered to his father.
- Matthew Brian Crooks purchased the weapon at least six months before the Trump rally shooting, according to .
- It's unknown how the younger Crooks took possession of the firearm.
- The Crooks family is cooperating with federal investigators.
- Thomas Crooks also had a membership at the local shooting club, the Clairton Sportsmen's Club, for at least a year, according to .
What were Thomas Matthew Crooks' final moments?
- On July 12, federal investigators learned Thomas Crooks visited the Clairton Sportsmen's Club.
- On July 13, the day of the Trump rally in Butler, Crooks went to a Home Depot and purchased a five-foot ladder that investigators believe he used to scale a rooftop about 430 feet outside the Secret Service's perimeter.
- That same day, investigators said Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition at a gun store and drove his Hyundai Sonata an hour north to Butler.
- Crooks fired at least eight shots at Donald Trump and rally-goers at 6:11 pm, less than 10 minutes after the presidential candidate took the stage.
- A Secret Service counter-sniper positioned near the stage where Trump was delivering his remarks returned fire within seconds, killing Crooks.
What was his motive behind the shooting?
- The FBI is still working on determining a motive behind the shooting.
- The federal agency is viewing the act as domestic terrorism.
- Crooks is believed to have acted alone.
- Federal officials have been able to gain access to Crooks' cell phone, but it has yielded no clues about a motive, according to the .
- Crooks' cell phone and laptop have been sent to the FBI's lab in Quantico, Virginia, for further analysis.