First lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden respond to Joe Biden quitting presidential race
Members of the president’s family rally round after the 81-year-old withdraws his bid for re-election in the face of mounting pressure.
The first lady and Hunter Biden have responded to Joe Biden’s announcement that he is stepping down from the presidential race.
Dr Jill Biden, whose loyalty to the president has been unswerving during their 47 years of marriage, shared his historic statement on social media platform X and added a simple heart emoji.
Hunter Biden said that for his “entire life” he had looked at his father “in awe”.
He added: “How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others?
“Not only in the policies he passed, but in the individual lives he’s touched.”
Hunter Biden, who was recently found guilty of illegally buying a gun after hiding his drug use, said he had witnessed his father “absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans who he’s given his personal phone number to, because he wanted them to call him when they were hurting”.
The 54-year-old went on: “He is unique in public life today in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years.
“Thank you, Mr President. I love you, Dad.”
Follow live: Reaction as Biden pulls out of race
Jill Biden rode to his support in the wake of his disastrous debate against Donald Trump last month that fuelled calls for him to stand down.
Within minutes of the end of the head-to-head, she took to the stage to hail his performance.
The first lady told the cheering crowd: “Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question.”
Other members of the family have also rallied around including Naomi Biden, 30, the eldest daughter of Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle, who described her grandfather as “the most effective president of our lifetime”.
She said: “I’m nothing but proud today of my pop, our president, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction.
“Not only has he been – and will continue to be – the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history.
“He has been at the centre of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him.
“To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours.”
Read more:
Analysis: Biden became a liability for Democrats
Joe Biden’s statement in full
A look at Kamala Harris – the favoured Biden successor
Despite denials, Mr Biden’s family are known to have been discussing what an exit from his campaign might look like in the face of mounting pressure on him to quit.
The president and those around him have felt hurt by the moves to oust him, particularly by those they had felt were friends.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
An ally of the president said: “There was a much more dignified way to do this if this is what they wanted.
“This is no way to treat a public servant who has done a lot for this country.”
The conversations about Mr Biden’s political future had raged while he remained at home in Delaware after he tested positive for COVID last week.
