In the name of “democracy”, the American president explains why he gave up running for president

Although the head of state indirectly mentioned his own age by speaking of the need to make way for younger people, he did not elaborate on the subject during his speech.

An expected presidential address, US President Joe Biden explained on Wednesday, July 24, in a televised speech, the reasons that led him to give up running in the presidential election. The head of state said he made this decision to “save democracy” and leave room for “younger voices”.

“It has been the honour of my life to be your president, but the defence of democracy, which is at stake, is I think more important than any title.”he said in this solemn address to the nation from the Oval Office. “In recent weeks it has become clear to me that I need to unite my party”he said, adding that the “time” had come “to have new voices (…), younger voices”.

Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, who has been virtually assured of being the Democratic nominee since her withdrawal, “is experienced, she is strong, she is competent”said Joe Biden. “She has been an incredible partner to me, a leader for our country. Now it is up to you, the American people, to choose.”he continued.

While Biden indirectly addressed his own age by talking about the need to make way for younger people, he didn’t really elaborate on the subject. The issue has been on everyone’s mind since his disastrous performance against Donald Trump in their debate in late June, which sparked a crisis among Democrats and prompted an avalanche of calls for him to make way for someone younger. The 81-year-old Democratic president finally caved Sunday to weeks of pressure and concern about his age and mental acuity, sending a thunderclap through the November presidential campaign.

Just after his former opponent’s speech on Wednesday evening, Donald Trump gave his opinion on the speech: “barely understandable, and so bad!”Shortly before, at a campaign rally in North Carolina, he had mocked the Democrat’s withdrawal. “Biden doesn’t even know he’s alive”he said contemptuously to his supporters at this first event since the Democrat threw in the towel.