Biden Drops Out, the Internet Responds: Memes Abound as President Exits the Race

The Democratic Party will be fronting a different candidate for the upcoming 2024 US presidential election after President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he would be ending his bid for reelection and is planning a press conference later this week to formally detail his decision. 

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden said in his statement. “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.”

The news puts a cap on what has been a rough year for the president. While doubts had percolated about Biden’s chances against Donald Trump, who last week formally became the Republican nominee, Biden was widely criticized for his performance and appearance during the televised debate between the two in June, and moderators at moments had trouble keeping order as Biden and Trump bickered on stage. 

At the time, Biden said he was ill the night the debate took place. Since then, various news outlets and party leaders have called for Biden to step down so he can focus on finishing his term and to allow a different candidate to take on Trump. 

Shortly after his announcement Sunday, Biden posted another tweet giving his endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party nominee.

Biden’s decision to not seek a second election puts him in rare company. The most recent US president to turn down the chance to run for a second term was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. Other sitting presidents who did not run for reelection include James K. Polk, James Buchanan, Rutherford B. Hayes and Calvin Coolidge. 

On social media, people wasted no time weighing in on Biden’s monumental decision. In the immediate aftermath, reactions online have been mixed, with some being sad at his decision and others looking toward the future.

Jill Biden’s emoji

First Lady Jill Biden retweeted Joe with a double heart emoji in response to her husband’s announcement. It was immediately retweeted many times, with one X user comparing the emoji reaction to “me texting when I don’t know what else to say.” 

Another user said they “would have done anything to be in the meeting where they brainstormed what emoji reaction” and saying that Jill should’ve posted a statement of her own. 

“It’s Joever”

The phrase “it’s Joever” took over X (formerly Twitter) soon after the news broke. That prompted one person to post a GIF of the well-stocked Buzz Lightyear aisle from Toy Story in reference to all the people posting Joever memes. 

“I say it’s just Kamencing”

“You say it’s Joever; I say it’s just Kamencing,” one X user said in response to Biden’s endorsement of Harris.

Some users are convinced that Harris is a shoo-in as victor, with some already proclaiming her the 47th president of the United States. Others spitballed who she’d select as a vice presidential running mate to balance her ticket if she wins the nomination. Some are hopeful that US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will be her VP pick.

Harris tweeted from her personal account on X thanking Biden for his service and has endorsement. Some X users believe that she’s ready for the challenge and is probably pretty happy about it. Others are unearthing positions and policies from her previous critiques of Trump, including in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election.

Still, users couldn’t help but poke a little fun at the VP. 

Smile because it “Jappened”

Other jumpstarted looks at Biden’s legacy… or at least dropped as many puns as they could. One user quipped, “don’t cry because it’s Joever. Smile because it Jappened,” and another said, “damn, not TWO Joever summers in a row,” referring to Taylor Swift’s high-profile breakup with Joe Alwyn last summer. 

Other users are already Bidone with the trend.

Then there were those took the chance to reference layoff culture in the wake of thousands of people getting laid off over the last couple of years by adding a LinkedIn-style “Open to work” banner on a profile picture of Biden and posting messages like: “Hi! My friend is leaving his job so if anyone is looking for a total rock star to add to your team I can pass along his resume.”

Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that he has “extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”

Along with Kamala Harris, “Michelle Obama” is also trending on X amid calls for the former First Lady to take a run at the presidency.

“The most historic national ice cream day”

Sunday’s announcement took place on National Ice Cream Day — Biden is famously a fan of ice cream — and one X user noted that this might be the “most historic national ice cream day.”

Read more: President Biden Ends Reelection Bid – a Look Back at His Tech and Debt Relief Legacy

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