US President Joe Biden is set to address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening in what could be his final speech from this iconic location.
He plans to elucidate his reasons for withdrawing from the upcoming November election and to counter the notion that he will spend his remaining months in office as a lame-duck president.
As global attention shifts towards the impending electoral showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, Biden will emphasize in his address that he remains committed to his presidential duties, despite his groundbreaking decision to step aside.
The 81-year-old President announced on social media platform X that he would outline “what lies ahead and how I will finish the job for the American people” during the primetime televised event scheduled for 8:00 PM (0000 GMT Thursday).
Biden’s speech, anticipated to last between eight to ten minutes, will be his first since he announced his withdrawal from the presidential race on Sunday, a move precipitated by mounting pressure following a challenging debate performance against Trump.
In his initial withdrawal announcement, made while he was in isolation due to COVID-19 at his Delaware beach residence, Biden had pledged to provide more insights into his unexpected decision.
This speech comes slightly over a week after his last Oval Office address, which followed an assassination attempt against Trump on July 13.
It will mark only the fourth such address of his presidency and could potentially be his last.
As Vice President Harris, who is now effectively the Democratic presidential nominee, and Trump resume their campaign activities, Biden faces the challenge of demonstrating to the American public that his influence and efforts remain significant.
Republicans have urged Biden to resign entirely, arguing that his decision not to seek reelection indicates he is unfit to serve as president.
Despite these calls, Biden remains adamant that he has much to contribute, particularly focusing on economic issues and striving for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
“I’m not going anywhere,” a determined Biden declared during a call with Harris at a campaign meeting in Delaware on Monday, adding that he intends to “work like hell” both as president and in support of her campaign.
Biden, who is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday, expressed optimism about reaching a ceasefire agreement, stating, “We’re on the verge.”
While pursuing a legacy-defining Middle East peace deal is not unprecedented for a US president, as seen with efforts by Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump, the dynamics are already evolving. Netanyahu is also set to meet with Harris separately, and Trump announced a planned meeting with the Israeli leader at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
With his presidency nearing its conclusion, Biden shared on X late Tuesday that he was pleased to be back at the White House after his return from Delaware and had convened with his national security team for a briefing.
Biden’s decision to withdraw has revitalized the Democratic Party, which had been mired in debate over his age and fitness for office.
An enthusiastic Harris received an ecstatic reception at a campaign rally in Wisconsin on Tuesday, her first since securing the necessary delegates for the nomination.
Harris could be formally nominated as early as August through a virtual vote by Democratic delegates, ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago later that month.
Her immediate challenge will be to sustain the momentum within her party and convert this initial enthusiasm into electoral success in November.
Although a recent poll shows Harris with a slight lead over Trump following Biden’s withdrawal, she remains susceptible to criticisms regarding her performance during her first two years as vice president.
