Joe Biden drops out: A timeline of his decision to withdraw
President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw from the race for the White House.
It came after growing pressure from Democrats, both prominent and unknown. Speculation over his next move was swirling after his June debate performance, though many questioned the 81-year-old’s fitness to lead for another four years before that night.
Here is a look back at the historic debate, and what happened in the weeks following that led up to Biden’s stunning decision:
June 27: Biden and Trump debate each other
FILE - President of the United States Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump participate in the first Presidential Debate at CNN Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on June 27, 2024. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump took to the stage to hold their first debate in Atlanta.
One of the first glimpses viewers got of Biden was when he lost his train of thought while making his case on tax rates and the number of billionaires in America — trailing off and looking down at his lectern before mumbling briefly and saying "we finally beat Medicare." When he tried to finish his point, he was cut off because of the time limits.
At other times, Biden made some puzzling non sequiturs that seemed to undercut what the campaign has said are his strong points, including the economy and abortion rights.
As Biden critiqued Trump’s economic record, the president suddenly pivoted to Afghanistan and how Trump "didn’t do anything about that" — although the botched withdrawal of Afghanistan is widely considered one of the lowest points of Biden’s presidency.
Later, as Biden singled out state restrictions on abortion, he confusingly pivoted to immigration and referred to a "young woman who was just murdered" by an immigrant. It was unclear what point he was trying to make.
Aside from his talking points, many viewers pointed out Biden was debating with a quiet and raspy voice, adding additional concerns about his fitness to serve. In the initial moments of the debate, aides said the president had a cold.
RELATED: Biden's voice raises questions among viewers during debate
June 28: Biden admits dismal debate performance
The next day, Biden appeared to acknowledge the criticism over his debate performance during a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, saying, "I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious … I don’t walk as easy as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth."
But he added, "I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done."
Speaking for 18 minutes, Biden appeared far more animated than he had the night before as he excoriated Trump for his "lies" and for waging a campaign aimed at "revenge and retribution."
July 2: Biden says he was jetlagged
Biden offered an explanation for his debate performance at a Virginia fundraiser, saying his problem was jet lag after having gone to France, California and then Italy before taking down time in Delaware and at Camp David.
He arrived at Camp David on June 20, seven days before the debate. The presidential retreat was in the Eastern Time Zone, the same as CNN’s studios in Atlanta.
July 3: New York Times report on Biden withdrawing
The New York Times published a report on Wednesday, July 3, six days after the debate, that Biden told an anonymous key ally that he knew he may not be able to salvage his candidacy, and that the new few appearances were crucial for him.
The reported conversations were the first indication that Biden was considering whether he could recover from the debate performance.
Within hours, ABC News and TMZ also reported conversations of similar nature.
July 3: Biden vows to stay in race
Despite the reports that Biden was considering withdrawing from the race, a top aide said the president vowed that day to keep running for reelection.
"Let me say this as clearly as I possibly can as simply and straightforward as I can: I am running … no one’s pushing me out," Biden said on a call with staffers from his reelection campaign. "I’m not leaving. I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win."
Later that day, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged Biden’s schedule and jet lag were issues that contributed to his debate performance, previously having leaned into only his cold.
She later suggested that Biden traveled and then got a cold, possibly linking the two.
July 9: Neurologist exam records questioned
On July 9, the White House said President Biden saw a neurologist at the White House on Jan. 17 for a neurologic exam, the results of which were later reported as part of his annual physical more than a month later.
According to the logs, it was the only meeting between Biden and Dr. Kevin Cannard, a renowned neurological expert, that had been reported between July 2023 and this past March — a period that has come under scrutiny because Cannard had visited the White House eight times in that time frame.
The repeated presence of Cannard in the White House visitors logs also attracted attention because of the doctor’s expertise in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Cannard has been the neurology consultant to the White House medical unit for a dozen years.
July 10: Pelosi stops short of endorsing Biden
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi spoke publicly July 10 about the state of President Biden’s re-election campaign as the list of top Democrats who are calling on him to step aside continued to grow.
Pelosi didn’t offer support outright for Biden to stay in the race, but she didn’t call for him to exit either.
Pelosi had been widely watched for signals of how top Democrats were thinking about Biden’s candidacy, and her comments were viewed as important for the party’s direction as they weighed possible alternatives in the campaign against Trump.
READ MORE: Nancy Pelosi on Biden’s campaign: ‘It’s up to him’ and ‘time is running short’
July 11: Biden presents scenario where he would drop out of race
In a news conference at the close of the NATO summit in Washington, Biden was asked whether he would step aside if aides showed him that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a stronger opponent than he would be against Trump.
Biden’s initial response was "no," but then he elaborated.
"Unless they came back and said, ‘There’s no way you can win.’ Me," he said. "No one is saying that. No poll says that."
The limited polling available suggests a competitive race with several months before the election. Several polls of voters give Trump a slight advantage, while others show neither candidate with an advantage.
July 17: Biden gives new scenario where he would drop of out race
Biden spoke with BET journalist Ed Gordon for an interview. During the conversation, Gordon asked Biden if there were any factors that would make him reevaluate his candidacy.
He didn’t repeat the other reasons that he had previously listed — but rather surfaced a new one.
"If I had some medical condition that emerged," Biden told Gordon. "If doctors came to me and said, ‘You got this problem, that problem.’"
July 17: Biden tests positive for COVID-19
On July 17, The White House confirmed President Biden had tested positive for COVID-19, was experiencing mild symptoms and was going to self-isolate at his home in Delaware.
July 21: Biden withdraws from the race
Biden announces in a letter on social media that he's withdrawing from the race and will focus on his presidential duties for the remainder of his term.
He made the decision quietly, from his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, sick with COVID-19, the first lady with him as he talked it through with a small circle of people who have been with him for decades.
Just about a half-hour later came his public vote of support for Vice President Kamala Harris. It was a carefully choreographed strategy meant to give the president’s initial statement full weight, and to put a period on the moment before launching forward into the next step.
READ MORE: Watch live: Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race
July 29: Big Biden-Harris fundraiser
The Biden-Harris ticket had planned a fundraising event on July 29 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, that was set to feature special guests — talk show legend David Letterman and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
The status of the fundraiser is unclear.
Aug. 18: Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled in Chicago from Monday, Aug 19 - Aug. 22.
TBD: Democratic virtual roll call
Before Biden’s withdrawal from the race, Democrats were reportedly planning to do an early virtual roll call to officially nominate Biden as their presidential candidate.
It’s unknown if they will go through with plans to meet earlier than the convention to formally nominate a new candidate.
Several rounds of "roll call vote" could take place if no candidate reaches a majority of pledged delegates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Detroit and Los Angeles.