World leaders respond to President Joe Biden dropping out

World leaders reacted online on Sunday after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race, with many supporting his decision and honoring his presidency.

“I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” said United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, President Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.”

Biden’s decision follows weeks of mounting pressure from within his own party and from key Democratic donors urging him to step aside. This announcement marks a significant shift in the political landscape as the Democratic Party must now quickly organize to select a new nominee before August 7.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris thanked Biden in a statement.

“On behalf of the people and government of Ireland, I, as Taoiseach, would like to thank you Mr. President for your global leadership and your friendship as you make your announcement that you will not stand in the 2024 US Presidential election,” the statement read.

“President Biden has been a voice for reason, effective multilateralism and shared solutions.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote a post on X, formerly Twitter:

“You’ve taken many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger,” Tusk posted. “I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life.”

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called Biden’s decision “valuable.”

“It is undoubtedly the decision of a statesman who has served his country for decades. It is a responsible and personally difficult step, but it is all the more valuable,” Fiala said per a translation on X. “I am keeping my fingers crossed for the USA that a good president emerges from the democratic competition of two strong and equal candidates.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement that he respects Biden’s decision not to run for reelection, as reported by Reuters.

“He justifies the decision by saying that he wants to put the country before himself,” the statement said. “That reasoning commands respect.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz thanked Biden for his work with NATO.

“Thanks to him transatlantic cooperation is close, NATO is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us,” the chancellor posted.

Not all responses were complimentary, though.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Biden a predictable candidate, which Russia preferred, DPA International reported.

“We have to be patient and closely monitor what happens next,” Peskov said. “The election is still four months away, and that is a long time during which much can change.”

The chairman of Russia’s State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, called for Biden to “be held responsible” for the “problems” he created “all over the world and in his own country, the United States.”

Biden’s Withdrawal

Biden’s reelection campaign had faced increasing scrutiny and concern following a shaky debate performance last month against the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.

Trump told CNN shortly after the announcement that Biden was “the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country.” Trump also suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden endorsed as his replacement on the Democratic ticket, would be easier to beat in November.

“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,” Biden said in a statement.

“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.”

President Joe Biden’s brother, Frank Biden, told ABC News that his brother’s decision to withdraw from the race was based on his “overall health and vitality.”

Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.