Read Joe Biden’s letter announcing he is dropping out of the US election

The president announced on Twitter he will not seek re-election, and he endorsed Kamala Harris in his place

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Joe Biden will not stay in the 2024 presidential race as the Democratic candidate, he announced on Saturday.

The announcement comes several weeks after the US president's disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, which turned whispers about his age and fitness into a roar.

My Fellow Americans,

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

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. 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. Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this.