World Leaders React to Biden Dropping Out of US Election Race

 Global Reactions to Biden’s Withdrawal from Presidential Race

World leaders have shared their reactions to President Joe Biden’s decision to end his re-election campaign. Concerns over Biden’s age and fitness had driven weeks of pressure leading up to his withdrawal.

Israel

Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Biden for his “friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades-long career.” Herzog highlighted Biden’s visit to Israel during wartime and his receipt of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, calling him a true ally and symbol of the unbreakable bond between the US and Israel.

Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed respect for Biden’s “tough but strong decision” and gratitude for his unwavering support during Ukraine’s struggle against Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized Biden’s leadership in preventing Putin from occupying Ukraine and his continued support throughout the conflict, hoping for America’s continued strong leadership against Russian aggression

Russia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow was more focused on winning the war in Ukraine than the outcome of the US election. Peskov emphasized that the priority for Russia was achieving the goals of their special military operation against Ukraine.

United Kingdom

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer respected Biden’s decision and looked forward to working with him during the remainder of his presidency. Starmer acknowledged Biden’s decision as being made in the best interest of the American people.

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hailed Biden as a “great man” whose actions were guided by his love for his country. Trudeau praised Biden as a partner to Canadians and a true friend, expressing gratitude to the President and the First Lady.

Australia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Biden for his leadership and ongoing service. Albanese highlighted the strong Australia-US alliance and their shared commitment to democratic values, international security, economic prosperity, and climate action.

Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Biden his “friend” and credited him with strengthening transatlantic cooperation and NATO. Scholz recognized Biden’s decision not to run again as deserving of recognition, acknowledging his achievements for his country, Europe, and the world.

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez commended Biden for making a “brave and dignified decision.” Sanchez credited Biden’s determination and leadership for overcoming the economic crisis post-pandemic, addressing the Capitol assault, and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Sanchez described Biden as a great president who always fought for democracy and freedom.

Poland

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Biden for making difficult decisions that enhanced safety and democracy. Tusk acknowledged Biden’s motivations for his final decision, which he described as probably the most difficult one in his life.

Czech Republic

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala recognized Biden’s decision as that of a “statesman who has served his country for decades.” Fiala valued Biden’s responsible and personally difficult step and wished for a good president to emerge from the democratic competition.

Ireland

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris praised Biden as a “voice for reason, effective multilateralism, and shared solutions.” Harris highlighted Biden’s unwavering voice and passionate work for peace on the island of Ireland, expressing a great debt of gratitude for his efforts.

Joe Biden Withdraws from Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris

 President Biden Bows Out, Endorses Kamala Harris for Democratic Nominee

President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. This unexpected decision comes just months before the November election against Donald Trump, whom Biden has called an existential threat to US democracy. Biden expressed his intention to focus on his presidential duties for the remainder of his term.

Kamala Harris Thanks Biden and Pledges Unity

In a statement, Harris thanked Biden for his leadership and expressed her intention to earn and win the Democratic nomination. She pledged to unite the party and the nation to defeat Trump and his "extreme Project 2025 agenda."

Democratic Leaders Rally Around Harris

Following Biden’s announcement, several prominent Democrats endorsed Harris, including California Governor Gavin Newsom. Democratic leaders and donors had pressured Biden to step aside, seeing no path to victory with him on the ticket. An ABC News/Ipsos poll showed 60% of Democrats believed Biden should end his run, and 76% would be satisfied with Harris as the nominee.

Trump's Reaction and Campaign Strategy

Trump immediately criticized Biden's decision, claiming Biden was never fit to serve as president. Trump's campaign has prepared for Harris’s candidacy, focusing on immigration and economic issues to appeal to swing voters. Trump believes Harris will be easier to defeat than Biden.

Democratic Party Faces Uncertainty and Rapid Fundraising Surge

The Democratic National Committee plans a transparent process to select a candidate to defeat Trump. ActBlue reported raising $27.5 million from small-dollar donors for Harris’s campaign within five hours of Biden’s announcement. Prominent Democrats praised Biden's decision, with Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi lauding his legacy and patriotism.

Republican Pushback and Legal Challenges

Republicans have cast Biden's decision as undemocratic and have called for his resignation. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested potential legal challenges, though experts are skeptical of their success. Despite these challenges, Biden's withdrawal marks a dramatic shift in an already tumultuous election season.

Next Steps for Democrats

With the Democratic National Convention approaching, Harris must solidify her support and select a running mate to face Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. Harris's national profile and fundraising capabilities make her a strong contender, but the party faces a tight timeline to finalize its ticket.

US Election Live Updates: Kamala Harris Backed by Top Democrats as Donations Surge Following Biden's Exit

 Kamala Harris Receives Strong Support from Top Democrats Amid Surging Donations

Vice President Kamala Harris pledged to "do everything in my power to unite" the Democratic Party as she received strong endorsements from top Democrats. The liberal political action committee ActBlue reported raising $46.7 million in just hours after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.

MAGA Inc Replaces Biden Ads with Anti-Harris Campaign

Make America Great Again Inc., a super PAC supporting Donald Trump, announced on Sunday that it would replace anti-Biden television ads in battleground states (Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania) with ads targeting Kamala Harris. The new 30-second ad accuses Harris of concealing Biden’s health issues and blames her for the administration's perceived failures, including immigration issues and inflation. The ad’s narrator claims, “Kamala knew Joe couldn’t do the job, so she did it. Look what she got done: a border invasion, runaway inflation, the American Dream dead.”

Trump Rallies Support with Insults and Attacks on Harris

At a rally in Michigan, Trump used his characteristic inflammatory language to mock Harris, dubbing her “laughing Kamala” and calling her “crazy” and “nuts.” He is expected to focus his attacks on Harris’s involvement in the administration’s immigration policies and economic management.

Trump Campaign Shifts Focus to Harris, Highlighting Immigration and Economy

Trump’s campaign plans to highlight Harris’s association with the Biden administration’s immigration policies and economic issues, which they believe will resonate with swing voters. Campaign sources revealed preparations for Harris’s candidacy had been underway for weeks. Trump expressed confidence in defeating Harris, stating, “Harris will be easier to beat than Joe Biden would have been.”

Harris Engages with Key Democrats for Support

Harris spent Sunday afternoon calling congressional lawmakers to garner support, including a conversation with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Representative Annie Kuster of New Hampshire, chair of the New Democrat Coalition, endorsed Harris, demonstrating her growing backing within the party.

Trump Insults Biden, Pelosi in First Rally Since Assassination Attempt

 Republican Nominee Delivers Fiery Two-Hour Speech Mocking Democrats and Repeating False Election Fraud Claims

Grand Rapids, Michigan — Former President Donald Trump held his first campaign rally since surviving an assassination attempt last week, delivering a two-hour speech where he targeted Democrats with insults and repeated false claims about immigration and election fraud.

Amid heightened security, Trump mocked President Joe Biden as "feeble" and compared former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to a "dog." The crowd cheered as Trump called on them to "fight, fight, fight," referencing his defiant gesture after the assassination attempt.

Rally Highlights and Support

Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle reported that Trump’s supporters gathered in large numbers to show their backing for the candidate in Michigan, a critical battleground state for the upcoming election.

"For hours before this rally began, there were queues. People were lining up for miles," Lavelle said. Supporters wore T-shirts and hats emblazoned with Trump’s image and the words “fight, fight, fight.”

Insults and False Claims

In his speech, Trump described Biden as a “stupid” and “low-IQ individual” and accused Democrats of wanting to remove Biden from the ticket after his nomination.

“They have a couple of problems. Number one, they have no idea who their candidate is,” Trump said. Referring to Pelosi, Trump said, “She’s turned on him like a dog. She’s as crazy as a bed bug.” He also denigrated Vice President Kamala Harris as “crazy.”

Trump repeated false claims of election fraud in 2020, urging voters to deliver a “landslide that is too big to rig.”

Immigration and International Relations

The Republican candidate also threatened undocumented migrants and claimed an "invasion" over the US border. He accused Democrats of allowing it to happen for political gain.

Trump touted his relationships with global leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. He called Xi a “great guy” and mentioned receiving a “beautiful note” from him after the assassination attempt.

Reactions and Criticism

Al Jazeera’s Lavelle noted this rally marked the first joint campaign appearance of Trump and JD Vance. “This becomes a two-man campaign now where they both try to spread the MAGA message,” Lavelle said.

Despite calls for lowering rhetoric after the assassination attempt, Trump’s speech remained aggressive. Democratic strategist Arshad Hasan said Trump and Vance have taken a highly negative tone, undermining calls for unity.

Biden’s Position and Democratic Concerns

Meanwhile, Biden remains in self-isolation after contracting COVID-19. Campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler stated Biden's return details will be announced soon. Biden has refocused on Trump, criticizing his acceptance speech at the Republican convention.

Opinion polls indicate a tight national race, with Biden trailing in key battleground states. Democrats are increasingly concerned about Biden’s re-election prospects after his poor debate performance last month. However, replacing Biden at this stage poses significant challenges.

Arshad Hasan, a Democratic political strategist, acknowledged the turmoil within the Democratic Party but emphasized the difficulty of replacing Biden so close to the election.

“The real discussion is how we would decide, with about 100 days for the election, who would be on the top of the ticket. That is where there isn’t a clear answer. Biden is the one person who can make that decision. And so far he said he’s staying.”

Israel Intercepts Missile Fired by Houthis at Eilat

 Israel Says It Intercepted Missile Fired by Houthis at Port City of Eilat

Israeli forces intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Houthi militants in Yemen targeting the southern city of Eilat, following Israeli strikes on Yemeni port facilities in Hodeidah.

Brig Gen Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, claimed that multiple ballistic missiles were fired towards Eilat and an American ship in the Red Sea was targeted with missiles and drones, both of which he described as “successful”.

The Houthi group had vowed a “huge” response to Israeli attacks amid concerns of escalating regional conflict. Heavy fighting was reported in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, with numerous casualties from Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza.

“The Houthis’ response to the Israeli aggression against our country is inevitably coming and will be huge,” said Saree.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that its Arrow 3 missile defense system intercepted the missiles directed at Eilat early on Sunday outside Israeli airspace. Sirens were activated in Eilat to warn residents of possible falling shrapnel.

The missile attack followed Israeli airstrikes on oil facilities and a power station near Hodeidah, which according to Saree, resulted in three deaths, 87 injuries, and significant damage to the port facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Hodeidah’s port was targeted because it was used for military purposes by the Houthis. “They used this weapon to attack Israel, to attack the countries of the region, to attack an international shipping lane, one of the most important shipping lanes in the world,” Netanyahu said after the strikes.

The strikes on Hodeidah raised concerns about the delivery of international aid to Yemen, where millions face starvation and an estimated 18.2 million people need humanitarian assistance, according to the EU. The UN has described Hodeidah port as “critical to the delivery of food and humanitarian assistance”.

Saudi Arabian authorities denied involvement in the attack and did not allow their airspace to be used for the strikes, despite ongoing conflict with Houthi militants.

The Israeli strikes on Hodeidah were a response to a rare drone attack on Tel Aviv early Friday morning, which killed one man and injured 10 others. The Houthis claimed success in the drone attack due to their advanced drone capabilities, while Israeli authorities cited “human error” for the lapse in air defenses.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks as long as Israeli assaults on Gaza persist. Israeli strikes in Gaza have resulted in over 38,000 deaths in nearly 10 months of conflict, the longest in the country's history.

The Houthis’ targeting of global shipping routes in the Red Sea has disrupted trade, forcing ships to reroute away from Eilat and significantly affecting the port's business.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing increasing pressure domestically and from military officials to agree to a ceasefire deal, potentially involving the release of some of the estimated 116 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pause in fighting.

Netanyahu met with negotiators before his scheduled departure to Washington, where he is expected to meet President Joe Biden and address Congress. Netanyahu's office announced a delay in his departure to Monday morning, with the Biden meeting set for Tuesday.

Observers hope Netanyahu’s trip to the US will help ease tensions in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, where the IDF is engaged with Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, and prevent a regional war.

Hezbollah recently fired rockets towards a kibbutz in northern Israel in response to an Israeli strike in Lebanon. Hamas militants based in Lebanon also fired at an Israeli army base, and a drone strike injured two Israeli soldiers in the occupied Golan Heights.

Despite US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s assertion that a ceasefire deal was near, major gaps remain in the negotiations. US efforts to prevent war between Israel and Lebanon have seen more success than those aimed at securing peace in Gaza. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah indicated the group would halt attacks on Israel if a Gaza ceasefire is achieved.

Approximately 200,000 people are displaced on both sides of the “blue line” marking the Israel-Lebanon border.