‘Jilly, I had no choice’: Jill Biden recalls pressure Joe Biden faced to drop out of 2024 race

Jill Biden recalled the immense pressure that Joe Biden faced in the aftermath of his disastrous 2024 debate performance, saying he told her “Jilly, I had no choice,” following his decision to drop out of the presidential race. The former first lady made the comments during a Tuesday book event coinciding with the release of her new memoir, View from the East Wing. The event was held at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, and moderated by comedian and co-host of The View, Whoopi Goldberg. Former president Biden was in attendance at the event and received two standing ovations from the crowd. Biden’s poor debate performance against Donald Trump had sparked widespread alarm among Democrats, prompting calls for him to withdraw from the race. When asked on Tuesday if she and her husband had been surprised at the response from their party, she said: “Joe and I were devastated. “To have people who we really considered close friends come out publicly and say really terrible things about Joe … if you want to come to us and say that to us personally, that’s one thing. But to go on TV shows or out in the press or send me op-eds or whatever – it was really hurtful.” Joe Biden stands next to Jill Biden as he thanks the camera crew after addressing the US from the Oval Office in Washington DC, on 24 July 2024. Photograph: Evan Vucci/EPA Jill Biden says that the public outcry from Democrats is ultimately what led him to drop out of the race. …