Donald Trump has responded to Joe Biden's announcement that he will be stepping down from the 2024 election and will not seek a second term as US president.
In a message posted on Twitter, Biden wrote: "My Fellow Americans, over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
"Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
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"We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years.
"Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
"I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people.
"Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We've protected and preserved our Democracy. And we've revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
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"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
"I will speak to the National later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected.
"I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
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"I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can't do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America"
Biden later endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris to take his spot as the Democratic nominee, saying he would give his 'full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year'.
The president's age had been a factor in criticism of him, with the 81-year-old performing poorly in a recent debate against Trump.
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Donald Trump, the Republican nominee who lost the 2020 election to Biden, responded to the news on his own social media platform Truth Social.
Trump wrote: "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve - And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.
"All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t - And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists.
"We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
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Joe Biden had won the overwhelming support of his party to seek a second term as president, and the Democrats will now have to choose someone else as their nominee for the November election.
This is the latest a US party's presumptive nominee has ever stepped out of the race.
As the Democrats try to figure out who they would put in the White House should they win the 2024 election, the Republicans will have to recalibrate based on who they end up facing.
Topics: US News, Joe Biden, Donald Trump
Joe Harker