Watch: Biden’s speech in full
Joe Biden’s historic address to the American people was at around 1am UK time – so you’ll be forgiven if you missed it.
You can watch it in full here – it runs to about 11 minutes.
Speaking in the Oval Office at the White House, the president was surrounded by portraits of “extraordinary” Americans, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
He said “it has been the honour of my life to serve as your president” and asked if the people of America could see people they disagree with “not as enemies, but as fellow Americans”.
“We are a great nation, because we are good people,” he said.
Watch now…
Biden explains reasons for quitting and sets out plan for his final six months
We have been reporting through the night on Joe Biden’s first speech to the nation after his decision to step out of the presidential race.
Here’s a quick recap of what the president said…
President Biden said he pulled out of the race against Donald Trump over concerns about the future of US democracy, explaining he was stepping aside to allow a new generation to take over.
“I revere this office,” he said.
“But I love my country more.”
Mr Biden, who rebuffed weeks of pressure from Democrats to step aside, said: “I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s the best way to unite our nation.”
He praised Kamala Harris, who, after his endorsement, says she has secured enough Democratic delegates to become the nominee in his place.
“She’s tough. She’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country,” Mr Biden said.
The president used his 11-minute speech to speak about the danger he believes Americans face if Trump wins, without mentioning Trump by name.
He also said that for the next six months, he’ll continue to do his job as president.
That, he said, included continuing to “lower costs for hard-working families”, calling out “hate and extremism” and making it clear that there is “no place for political violence”.
The president also said he will keep speaking out “to protect kids from gun violence” and to protect “our planet from the climate crisis”.
“Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition,” he added.
“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands.”
Out of shot of the camera during the speech were several members of Mr Biden’s close-knit family, and senior advisers, seated along the curved Oval Office wall.
They erupted into applause when Mr Biden completed his remarks.
Good morning – here’s the latest
We’re back with our coverage of the US elections.
Last night, Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office for the first time since dropping his re-election bid, saying he decided to forgo personal ambition to save democracy.
He said that for the next six months, he’ll continue to do his job as president.
That, he said, included continuing to “lower costs for hard-working families”, calling out “hate and extremism” and making it clear that there is “no place for political violence”.
Mr Biden was greeted with cheers, applause and music in the Rose Garden after the address.
Shortly before the speech, Republican Donald Trump laid into
Democratic rival Kamala Harris and branded her a “radical left lunatic”.
Here are the other key developments you may have missed:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress and said “America and Israel must stand together”. He also pushed back on the claim from the International Criminal Court that Israel is deliberately targeting civilians in Gaza;
- But his visit was protested by thousands of demonstrators outside Congress, with arrests made;
- The man who shot Donald Trump had previously looked up details about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the head of the FBI said;
- Elon Musk denied reports that he was planning to donate $45m a month to a new pro-Trump super political-action committee.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he believed it was “very possible” Kamala Harris will win the US election but stopped short of endorsing her.
We’re pausing our live coverage
Our live coverage of the US election is ending for the day, but if you’re just checking in, here is a recap of the key developments from the past 24 hours:
- Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office, telling America that it was time for “younger voices” to step up. The president spoke for 11 minutes but didn’t delve deeply into why he made the decision to “pass the torch” just three months before the election.
- He called Kamala Harris “experienced, tough, capable” but gave no mention to Donald Trump.
- Donald Trump held his first campaign rally since Joe Biden ended his bid for re-election, speaking in North Carolina.The former president spent much of the two hours he was on stage attacking Kamala Harris, calling her a “very bad person” and someone who would “destroy our nation”.
- Ms Harris meanwhile took her campaign to Indianapolis, where she gave a keynote speech at a gathering of Howard University sorority Zeta Phi Beta. She criticised what she called Donald Trump’s plan to “return America back to a dark past” of ultra-conservatism.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress, where he said “America and Israel must stand together.” He praised Joe Biden and Donald Trump, criticised protesters against him, and implored the US to speed up military assistance so Israel can “finish the job faster”.
- Outside Congress, thousands of demonstrators gathered to protest Mr Netanyahu’s visit to the capital. An effigy of the Israeli leader was burned, protesters were hit with pepper spray in clashes with police, and six people were arrested for disrupting the address inside the House Galleries.
Harris watched Biden’s address from Houston
Kamala Harris watched the president’s Oval Office speech tonight from Houston, a White House official said.
The vice president, who received Mr Biden’s endorsement to succeed him, is in Texas for a two-day trip that includes a speech to the American Federation of Teachers.
Trump watches Biden address
Donald Trump posed for a photo during Joe Biden’s address to the US this evening.
One of Mr Trump’s staff members shared the image of the former president on X, showing him standing in front of a TV screen showing Mr Biden’s speech.
First lady shares personal note after Biden speech
Jill Biden has shared a personal note following Joe Biden’s address to the US tonight.
The First Lady was sat in the Oval Office as Mr Biden spoke for 11 minutes following his decision not to seek re-election.
The note read: “To those who never wavered, to those who refused to doubt, to those who always believed, my heart is full of gratitude.
“Thank you for the trust you put in Joe—now it’s time to put that trust in Kamala. Love, Jill”
No reference to Trump or full endorsement for Harris in speech
Joe Biden made no reference to Donald Trump, nor did he give Kamala Harris a full endorsement during tonight’s address.
The president mentioned how the decision facing American voters in November was a choice “between hope and hate, unity and division”.
On Ms Harris, who has been campaigning vigorously since Mr Biden endorsed her on Sunday night, he said: “I’d like to thank our great vice president Kamala Harris.
“She’s experienced. She’s tough. She’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me, and a leader for our country.”
Biden’s family watched speech in Oval Office
Joe Biden’s wife Jill and several family members, including his grandchildren, were sitting along the wall in the Oval Office during his speech.
Ashley Biden – the president’s daughter – sat next to Dr Biden, with her eyes closed, taking several deep breaths during the first few minutes of the address.
She wore a white jumper with an American Flag above the Olympic rings.
The first lady wore a purple suit, and held Ashley’s hand towards the end.
Karine Jean-Pierre and Ben LaBolt watched from a monitor set up in the back of the room. The president’s top advisers – Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti – were also there to observe the moment.
The president spoke for 11 minutes and was applauded by staff and family for about 60 seconds when he finished.
Analysis: Biden speech was a farewell address in all but name
Joe Biden’s address to the nation tonight felt a far cry away from the vigour of Kamala Harris’s campaign, our US correspondent James Matthews says.
The president said the “soul of America” is at stake in the upcoming election, just as it was when he took office in 2021.
He also said it was time to pass the torch to a new generation and that “personal ambition” can’t get in the way of “saving our democracy”.
Mr Biden’s decision to not seek re-election came amidst growing concerns over his health, age, and ability to lead the country.
“In terms of physically, you know, there was the odd stumble, but he got through it,” says Matthews. “He was on autocue, but it felt like a farewell.
“Kamala Harris has been on the campaign trail with vigour, with a bounce in the polls and that for me, as a guy who’s still in office and says he will join the campaign, felt like we were just shifted down a couple of gears again.
“We’re back to what the Democratic Party was two weeks ago, not with the bounce that it has got and needs, but in the company of ‘Old Joe’ selling an old message to an audience wondering where he takes the country.”