US Presidential Election 2024: Why did Barack Obama’s advisors push Joe Biden to step aside?

A number of advisors and associates of the previous president Obama initiated attempts to get President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 contest. Following a dismal debate performance against former President Trump, Biden formally announced his intention to step down from the race on Sunday afternoon, following weeks of pressure from traditional Democratic allies. A key driving force behind this push was anxiety regarding Biden's mental capacity and age—he is eighty-one years old.

Biden announced his withdrawal via a post on X, stating that he would focus on his presidential duties for the remainder of his term. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, calling on Democrats to unite and defeat Trump, as per the reports of Fox News.

Key figures and their opinions

Obama's longtime advisor David Axelrod expressed his disapproval of Biden's lack of success in the contest, pointing to issues with his age and leadership. While praising Biden's tenacity in political conflicts, Axelrod also underlined the difficulty of overcoming aging.


Actor George Clooney also called for Biden's exit in an op-ed, noting a decline in Biden's performance compared to previous years.

As per the reports of Fox News, another former Obama advisor, Jon Favreau, offered his insights from a fundraising event, concurring with Clooney's evaluation of Biden's state of health. Former Obama aides Favreau and others critiqued Biden's deteriorating performance on their podcast, "Pod Save America." They said it was hard to watch Biden's recent debate and interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos.

Obama's position and activities

Obama apparently worked behind the scenes to encourage Biden's withdrawal, even though he publicly supported Biden following the debate. Obama made no mention of his choice for the next president, but in a statement, he praised Biden's leadership. He was optimistic that the Democratic Party would select a formidable candidate.

FAQs

Why did President Biden decide to withdraw from the 2024 race?
Concerns about his age and mental capacity led President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 contest, particularly in the wake of a dismal debate performance against former President Trump.

What role did Obama's allies play in Biden's decision to withdraw?
Biden's age and performance raised doubts among Obama's supporters, including George Clooney and David Axelrod. Obama quietly encouraged Biden to pull down.