Californians and Hollywood react to Biden's decision to drop out

President Joe Biden has announced that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential election in a social media post posted shortly before 11 a.m. on the West Coast.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” he said in a letter posted on social media. “And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Read Biden's full letter

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Kamala Harris reacts

Following Biden's announcement, Vice President Kamala Harris said she intended to "earn and win" the nomination.

"We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win," her statement said.

Harris also paid tribute to Biden's legacy and thanked the president.

"With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else," Harris's statement said.

Reactions from prominent Democrats and Hollywood

Former President Barack Obama said, "I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life."

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, and said Biden "...has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who played a major role in nudging Biden to this decision, praised the president as a "patriotic American who has always put our country first." She also called him "one of the most consequential Presidents in American history."

Rep. Adam Schiff, who is the Democratic candidate for California's open U.S. Senate seat, said that Biden "will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of our time. He led our nation out of a deadly pandemic and rescued our economy."

Schiff was among prominent Democrats expressly endorsing Harris as Biden's replacement on the November ballot.

Sen. Alex Padilla praised Biden for putting "our country first."

Mayor Karen Bass said of Biden: "His partnership was essential in unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles decreasing for the first time in years."

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a strong supporter of Biden, tweeted on X:

"President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents."

Hours later, Newsom indicated strong support for Harris, calling her: "Tough. Fearless. Tenacious,"

Interim U.S. Senator LaPhonza Butler issued a statement that says under his leadership “the American people have witnessed historic investments in education, infrastructure and so much more.”

Butler goes on to say “the threat to all that progress remains.” She also praises Vice President Harris saying: “There’s no one better prepared for this challenge.”

Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-L.A.) praised the president, saying “we’re all better off for his service."

Rep. Mike Levin (D- Dana Point) called Biden’s decision “incredibly patriotic and the right thing to do” and Rep. Linda Sanchez, whose House district covers much of southeastern L.A. County, says Biden “will leave office and public service with a legacy of progressive accomplishments that few presidents can rival in modern history.”

Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart, who's been vocal among those in Hollywood in calling for Biden to end his run, tweeted one word: "Legend."

Rapper Lil Nas X has a message for Harris: "lock in lil bro!"

Backstory

Biden has been under pressure by prominent Democrats to drop out of the race, following what many thought of as a disastrous showing at the presidential debate weeks ago against former President and GOP nominee Donald Trump.

A number of Democrats have come out in support of Vice President Kamala Harris replacing Biden in the race. Not long after making his initial post, Biden made a second post that declared his full support for Harris to take the top of the Democratic ticket.

West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who called for Biden to step down from the race earlier today, said on CNN's State of the Union before Biden dropped out that he hoped for an "open process," adding that he didn't know what this process would look like four weeks out from the Democratic National Convention. He also ruled out running for president himself.

This is a developing story.