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World leaders react to Biden dropping out of White House race

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5 months ago

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World leaders react to Biden dropping out of White House race

“Joe Biden has achieved a great deal: for his country, for Europe, for the world,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“Thanks to him, transatlantic cooperation is close, Nato is strong and the USA is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again deserves recognition.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told national broadcaster NRK: “I respect Joe Biden’s decision not to run for re-election. That justification deserves respect. Biden has been one of America’s most prominent politicians over several decades, and a president who has carried out several important reforms.”

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Photo: AFP
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X: “Mr. President @JoeBiden, many times you have made difficult decisions that have made Poland, America, and the world safer, and democracy and freedom stronger. I know that you were guided by the same principles when announcing your latest decision. Perhaps the most difficult one in your life.”
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said: “Thank you President Joe Biden, for your unwavering support of Israel over the years. Your steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable. We are grateful for your leadership and friendship.”
Russia’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, speaking to SHOT news outlet, said: “The elections are still four months away, and that is a long period of time in which a lot can change. We need to be patient and carefully monitor what happens. The priority for us is the special military operation,” Peskov said, referring to the war in Ukraine.

03:10

BIDEN OR TRUMP: WHOEVER WINS, WE LOSE

BIDEN OR TRUMP: WHOEVER WINS, WE LOSE

Meanwhile, a number of prominent business leaders and Silicon Valley investors – among them Elon Musk, Bill Ackman, and Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz – have publicly come out in support of Donald Trump.
Musk and Ackman announced their backing after the former president was shot in an assassination attempt, while the A16z founders Andreessen and Horowitz pointed to Trump’s policies on cryptocurrency and taxes in a lengthy podcast.
“I believe in an America that maximises individual freedom and merit. That used to be the Democratic Party, but now the pendulum has swung to the Republican Party,” SpaceX and Tesla owner Musk posted on X soon after Biden announced his withdrawal.

“My smartest friends, including those living in the San Francisco Bay Area who have been lifelong Dems, are excited about Trump/Vance,” he added.

Elon Musk has spoken out in support of Trump. Photo: Getty Images / TNS

Entrepreneur David Sacks, founder of venture capital fund Craft Ventures, took to X to write: “Biden says he will address the nation later this week. Why wouldn’t he do that now? This was rushed. Pelosi wanted him out now.”

Sacks further posted on X: “First they told us there was nothing wrong with Biden. Then they threatened to destroy him if he didn’t leave the race. Now they’re calling him a ‘hero.’ How can you not be sickened by these people?”

In a third post, Sacks said Democratic Party leaders “believe in selections, not elections”.

Sacks, who previously supported Democrat Hillary Clinton, helped organise a US$12 million fundraiser for Trump in June and donated US$1 million to vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance’s Ohio Senate campaign.

04:50

Trump rally shooting: Biden orders security review, FBI believes shooter acted alone

Trump rally shooting: Biden orders security review, FBI believes shooter acted alone

However Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn, praised Biden’s decision, posting on X that Joe Biden is “a leader who acts with the best interests of America in mind”.

“Not seeking re-election is one of the most selfless acts we’ve seen from a politician in modern American history,” he continued. “This is what’s right for our country – and our democratic future.”

Hoffman added that Harris “is the right person at the right time”, noting that Trump and Vance’s agenda will “wreak havoc on the American people”.

“When presented with the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, I believe in the American people to make the right decision for our country,” he wrote. “The Biden-Harris administration has put this country on the right track. It’s time for us to unite. I wholeheartedly support Kamala Harris and her candidacy for president of the United States in our fight for democracy in November.”

In January Hoffman donated US$2 million to the Granite for America super PAC, which led a write-in campaign in New Hampshire for Biden’s campaign.

Reed Hastings, co-founder and executive chairman of Netflix, posted on X: “Dem delegates need to pick a swing state winner.”

Hastings had been one of the large Democratic donors calling on Biden to not run again.

“Biden needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous,” he previously told The New York Times.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms. Photo: Bloomberg
Meanwhile, Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously declined to endorse either Trump or Biden and said he does not plan to be involved in the election in any way, Bloomberg News reported.

The billionaire tech executive recently said Trump’s immediate reaction after being shot was “badass” and inspiring, and helps explain his appeal to voters.

Meta has frequently called out Trump’s posts for containing misinformation and breaching content rules on its platforms. It also suspended his Facebook and Instagram accounts for about two years following the January 2021 Capitol riots.

Zuckerberg said Meta was making changes that he hoped would mean Facebook was not as much of a flashpoint in elections going forward.

Meta and Zuckerberg did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Additional reporting by dpa, Business Insider

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