I am not going anywhere - Joe Biden sends direct message to Donald Trump on final full day as US President

Joe Biden spent his final full day as president on Sunday in South Carolina, urging Americans to "keep the faith in a better day to come" and reflecting on the influence of both the civil rights movement and the state itself in his political trajectory.

On the eve of Monday’s inauguration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, Biden delivered a final farewell from a state that holds special meaning after his commanding win in its 2020 Democratic primary set him up to achieve his life’s goal of being elected president of the United States.



Biden spoke to the congregation of Royal Missionary Baptist Church about why he entered public service — Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were political heroes, he said — and he thanked South Carolina for its support: “I owe you big.”


The day before the federal holiday honoring King, the slain civil rights leader, Biden struck a more hopeful tone for the future of the country than his televised farewell address Wednesday, when he warned about an “oligarchy” of the ultrawealthy taking root and a “tech-industrial complex” impeding the future of democracy.


“We know the struggle to redeeming the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing," Biden said Sunday. “We must hold on to hope. We must stay engaged. We must always keep the faith in the better day to come." He added: "I’m not going anywhere” — and the congregation applauded.


In 2020, Biden saw his campaign flounder after he lost the opening contests in New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada. But at the fourth stop, South Carolina — where Black voters make up a majority of the Democratic electorate — he was lifted to victory.


After winning the election and taking office, Biden pushed for South Carolina to be the state that opened the Democratic Party's nominating process for 2024, instead of New Hampshire. He easily won the state's primary that year.


“In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who proved the pundits wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and set us on the path to winning the presidency,” Biden said in a statement after winning the primary for the second time. “Now in 2024, the people of South Carolina have spoken again and I have no doubt that you have set us on the path to winning the Presidency again — and making Donald Trump a loser — again.”


It didn't turn out that way. After faltering in a debate against Trump, Biden dropped out of the race under pressure from many Democrats, though Clyburn notably was not among them.

Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced him as the Democrats' nominee. She lost to Trump.

FAQs

Q1. When will Donald Trump's inauguration begin?
A1. Donald Trump's inauguration will begin at 12 pm (ET) on Monday, January 20.

Q2. What is the age of Donald Trump?
A2. Donald Trump's age is 78-year-old.