A Melancholy Atmosphere at the White House as Biden Ends Re-Election Bid

On the evening of July 24, White House staff gathered with wine and pizza in the upstairs of the Oval Office to watch the President's televised national address. During the 11-minute speech, President Biden explained that he was stepping down from the race to unite the Democratic Party and the country, stating that it was time to "pass the torch to a new generation."

Following his speech, President Biden joined hundreds of White House staff in the Rose Garden to express his gratitude. "It was a beautiful moment," said Jean-Pierre, emphasizing the President's appreciation for the staff's hard work over the past three and a half years, especially in the recent challenging weeks.

The gathering featured ice cream, President Biden's favorite dessert, adding a light-hearted touch to the otherwise heavy evening. The President also made an impromptu speech to thank his team, highlighting their historic workload and the remaining tasks for the next six months of his term.

President Biden's family, including his son Hunter Biden, shared in the emotional aftermath of the announcement. The President embraced his family in the Oval Office before joining the staff in the Rose Garden.

The decision to step down, announced on social media platform X on July 21, was kept under wraps until the last minute, with top government officials notified just moments before the public announcement. Many of Biden's staff found out about the decision through social media.

As President Biden's term draws to a close, many White House staff are beginning to seek new employment opportunities, facing a mix of sadness and practical concerns. "The pay is not great, and we've been away from our families, lacking sleep. These are definitely 24/7 jobs," said Jean-Pierre. "But we do it because we believe in the work we are doing."

The White House is currently dealing with accusations of concealing President Biden's cognitive decline due to his age. Jean-Pierre firmly denied these allegations on July 24, assuring that the staff have not hidden anything regarding the President's health.