WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has announced he will deliver a primetime address from the White House at 8pm ET on Wednesday about his decision to withdraw from the presidential race.
“From the Oval Office, I will speak to the nation about my vision for the future and how I will get the job done for the American people,” the president said in a post on X.
In addition to providing details about his exit from the race, Biden also wants to talk about what he plans to do for the remainder of his term, a source familiar with his remarks told NBC News.
Biden issued a letter on Sunday saying he would not accept the Democratic nomination and then endorsed his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, as his top choice in his place. Biden was diagnosed with COVID-19 days ago and delayed commenting publicly on the decision.
Biden said in the letter that he believes it is in the “best interest” of the country and the Democratic Party for him to step down.
“While I had intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to step down and focus on fulfilling the duties of my presidency for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in a statement. Letter, posted on X date“I will speak to the public in more detail about my decision later this week.”
Biden is scheduled to return to the White House on Tuesday afternoon after leaving Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he was self-isolating last week while recovering from COVID-19.
Biden and his aides have already begun preparing the speech, according to two people familiar with the matter. They plan to continue drafting it today while the president is still in Rehoboth, and it is expected to be his first major event after returning to Washington this week.
Biden hopes to address the American people directly as his first act from there, the people said, and while the format and exact location were still being discussed late Sunday, it is currently expected to take place at the White House.
