“Hell Of A Speech”: Joe Biden’s Remarks On Exiting POTUS Race Praised By Stephen King, Kamala Harris, Rob Reiner, Wendell Pierce & More
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” President Joe Biden said Wednesday night from the Oval Office. “That is the best way to unite our nation,” the 81-year-old incumbent added of his exit from the 2024 race and quick endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.
Certainly, reaction to Biden’s primetime TV speech has been almost totally united in praise. Blacklist founder Leonard Franklin and Stephen King both perhaps put it best and most bluntly soon after Biden’s just under 15-minutes remarks ended.
More from Deadline
Judge Refuses To Dismiss Donald Trump's Defamation Lawsuit Against ABC News
Fox News Proposes Donald Trump-Kamala Harris Debate For September 17
Hell of a speech.
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) July 25, 2024
Hell of a speech.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 25, 2024
One of the big Hollywood donors who called for Biden to withdraw from his reelection efforts after the president’s debate debacle of June 27, Rob Reiner, the director of The American President, left nothing on the table tonight.
Joe Biden will go down as one of our greatest Presidents. I’ve never more proud of being an American.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) July 25, 2024
Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans and a top Biden adviser and a top aide (who wasn’t always a big Biden fan) to Barack Obama also went for the less-is-more reaction.
Simply the most consequential president of our lifetimes. Thank you @JoeBiden! https://t.co/jHNGZMmWkG
— Mitch Landrieu (@MitchLandrieu) July 25, 2024
.@JoeBiden was as big as the moment.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 25, 2024
Star Trek: Picard star Jeri Ryan leaned forward out of the speech.
Our President is such a truly good, good man.
My heart breaks for him.
Let’s win this for him. ?????????#Harris2024— Jeri Ryan (@JeriLRyan) July 25, 2024
Kamala Harris’ self-described “rapid response” X/Twitter feed paid respect with the president’s own words, as did The Wire alum Wendell Pierce:
President Biden: I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. There is a time and place for long years of experience in public life. But there is also a time and place for new voices, fresh voices, and yes, younger voices. And that time and place… pic.twitter.com/H1iixas8Tl
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) July 25, 2024
President Joe Biden. A presidency of restoration. “I revere this office, but I love my country more. It's been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it's more important than any title,” pic.twitter.com/c3yb8jFlQC
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) July 25, 2024
A potential presidential candidate one day and a political adopted son of Joe Biden, the Governor of California Gavin Newson went for brevity too:
Thank you, President @JoeBiden.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 25, 2024
Yvette Nicole Brown gave a shout-out to a former POTUS close to his 100th birthday in her response to tonight’s speech.
What a dear man.
What an amazing speech.
Thank you @JoeBiden. You were & ARE an amazing @Potus & a lifetime servant leader.
You have the character every President should have. You have that Jimmy Carter vibe. There’s no higher compliment I can give.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/s8DVxtLjl1— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) July 25, 2024
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “Tonight, we saw President Joe Biden – one of America’s most consequential presidents – show that he is not only on the right side of history, but on the right side of the future.
“America has been blessed by the wisdom and magnificent leadership of President Joe Biden as he has protected our democracy and led our nation with progress, hope and unity. President Biden has truly made a tangible difference in the lives of the American people.
“With love and gratitude, I salute President Biden for always believing in the possibilities of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment.”
Best of Deadline
2024 Presidential Election Debate Schedule: Dates, Times, Who'll Be There And Who Won't
10 Worst Fictional Presidents From Movies And TV Shows - Photo Gallery
The Best Fictional Presidents On Film And TV - Photo Gallery
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.