President Joe Biden has privately expressed regret about withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, marking an unprecedented moment in American political history as the first incumbent-elected president to withdraw from a reelection campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with recent conversations.
In private conversations throughout December 2024, Biden has repeatedly told aides and close advisers he could have defeated Trump despite the polling numbers that drove his withdrawal. The president has been particularly vocal about this belief, even as he avoids criticizing Harris’ campaign. His confidence stems partly from his victory over Trump in 2020, though he acknowledges the June debate performance and low approval ratings that preceded his exit from the race.
The withdrawal decision came after months of declining poll numbers, with Biden’s national approval rating dropping to 37% – the lowest point of his presidency – by the time of his withdrawal from the race.
During the pivotal June 27 debate, Biden’s performance raised concerns when he appeared to confuse current global conflicts and struggled to defend his economic policies against pointed criticism. The debate, watched by 14.8 million viewers, became a turning point for Democratic Party leadership.
Campaign financing dramatically declined following the debate. Three major Democratic donors, who had contributed $10.4 million to Biden’s 2020 campaign, withdrew their support in July. The campaign’s second-quarter fundraising dropped 35% compared to the first quarter.
“Your style does not lend itself well to the environment we’re currently in,” Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., told Biden during a meeting earlier this year, discussing style versus substance.
The transition to Harris’ candidacy created unprecedented legal challenges for the Democratic Party, with questions about campaign funding transfers and delegate allocation requiring rapid legal analysis.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reflected on the administration’s priorities, stating, “How to govern at this moment to set the U.S. up for long-term success has one answer, and how to govern to deal with midterm and presidential elections in the very short-term might have a different answer. The president went with doing the things that put America in a strong position.”
Harris’ abbreviated campaign struggled to maintain Biden’s coalition. Trump ultimately defeated Harris by 2.2 million votes.
Biden has acknowledged several administration decisions he now questions, including the appointment of Merrick Garland as attorney general. Initially convinced by aides that Garland would be a consensus choice, Biden has privately expressed frustration with the pace of Trump-related prosecutions while believing his son Hunter faced overly aggressive prosecution.
Biden’s decision created ripple effects throughout the Democratic Party’s infrastructure. Five state Democratic Party chairs resigned in protest, and the Democratic National Committee was forced to reorganize its entire general election strategy within 98 days of Election Day.