Team knew nothing

Joe Biden’s withdrawal: what happened in the hour before

(Bild: AP/Christopher Furlong)

US President Joe Biden's staff only found out about his withdrawal a minute before it was announced. While the 81-year-old was working on his withdrawal with two advisors, his team was simultaneously making battle cries. This had nothing to do with reality.

Biden's team declared on the day of his withdrawal that the 81-year-old was "determined". Determined to beat Donald Trump again in November. Anyone who asked questions about his state of health was tackled head-on. It was the now well-practiced procedure.

Meanwhile, barely three hours' drive from the White House, history was being made in the truest sense of the word. At his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the US President had long been working on a letter to inform the world of his decision not to run for the presidency again.

Decision matured in Biden's vacation home
Biden has been curing a coronavirus infection there for days. In these quieter hours, the political veteran apparently found time to reflect. Away from the hustle and bustle of the election campaign, he realized what a small part of the party did not want to admit: his public missteps have cost him the trust of the US population. Irrevocably.

A renewed triumph in the duel against Trump seemed out of reach, stopping the biological clock impossible anyway. His political legacy was about to be irreparably damaged.

If Joe Biden has his way, US Vice President Kamala Harris will succeed him.

(Bild: AP/Evan Vucci)

So Biden controlled what he could still control. The manner of his withdrawal. It was time to pull the ripcord and address the US population personally. 

Biden tweaked letters late into the night
According to consistent media reports, only a handful of people from his closest circle of advisors were briefed. First and foremost Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon. They have been whispering in Biden's ear for decades and are regarded as absolute confidants. On Saturday afternoon, Ricchetti received a message from his boss. "I need you and Mike in the house," Biden is said to have said, according to the New York Times. 

Steve Ricchetti and ...

(Bild: Getty Images/CHIP SOMODEVILLA)

... Mike Donilon are considered Joe Biden's closest advisors.

(Bild: Getty Images/Drew Angerer)

When Ricchetti and Donilon entered his residence, the 81-year-old had reportedly already decided to drop out of the race. "From that afternoon until well into the night, the three worked on one of the most important and historic letters of Mr. Biden's presidency," reports the US newspaper. Also on site: Biden's wife Jill and her personal aide.

Biden's letter to read:

Things got more specific on Sunday. According to the AP news agency, Biden spoke several times with his Vice President Kamala Harris. He briefed White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and his longtime aide and campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon.

Staffers were stalled until the end
At this point, the public slogans from the White House had nothing to do with reality. Hours later, the rest of Biden's staff would learn what was really going on. 

At 1.45 p.m. (US time) on Sunday afternoon, the news of Biden's withdrawal spread like wildfire in the White House. At 1.46 pm, his letter was published on all channels. The reactions varied between relief, horror and deep sadness, according to people familiar with the events. There was no time to digest the news.

Clarity is followed by uncertainty
Around half an hour after the announcement of his withdrawal, Biden recommended Harris as his successor: "Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump," he wrote.

The 81-year-old also announced that he would provide more detailed information about his decision and the background to it over the course of the week. It is also unclear whether and in what form Harris will be chosen as the leading candidate. A campaign for her or another candidate must also be launched. With so many question marks, only one thing seems clear: time is once again running against the Democrats.