Biden breaks silence on 'Where is Joe?' queries with call to Kamala Harris office about exit decision

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE: President Joe Biden debunked rumors about his death on Monday, July 22, during his first live address since dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. He spoke over the phone to a group of staff members at the campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

“I know yesterday’s news was surprising and it was hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do,” Biden, while recovering from COVID, made a call before Vice President Kamala Harris commenced her presidential campaign trail.

Joe Biden's public appearance served as virtual proof-of-life

“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” President Joe Biden said. “And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be out there in the campaign with her, with Kamala.”

Joe Biden emphasized the continued importance of defeating Donald Trump.

“I won’t be on the ticket, but I’m still going to be fully, fully engaged,” he added.

Biden pledged to do whatever was necessary to support Harris. He stayed on the call while Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff introduced his wife.

“I’m watching you, kid,” Biden said as Harris began. “I love you.” She clasped her hands over her heart.

The public appearance also acted as a virtual proof-of-life for Biden, who was swiftly the target of various bizarre right-wing conspiracies following his decision to withdraw from the 2024 campaign, announced in a written statement on Sunday afternoon, July 21.

These included suggestions by some that the president might be incapacitated or even deceased.

“If this were a hostage situation, that letter would not qualify as proof of life,” Billionaire and Trump supporter Bill Ackman posted a thread on X, previously known as Twitter, on Sunday night, filled with conspiracy theories about Biden.

Who started the rumors about Joe Biden's death?

Charlie Kirk, the founder and CEO of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was one of the individuals disseminating conspiracy theories, according to Daily Beast.

He claimed a source informed him that the Las Vegas police had been directed to shut down streets to facilitate medical treatment for the president, only to later be told to stand down.

“Apparently the rumor mill in the police department was that Joe Biden was dying or possibly already dead,” Kirk wrote. “I'm beginning to grow more curious if COVID or something else has been more serious than reported.”

Biden's Monday call appeared to confirm his well-being, aligning with the Harris campaign's display of unity and vigor.

Following Biden's endorsement, a host of Democratic Congress members, governors, and senior figures, including nearly all potential contenders, rallied behind Harris.

By Monday, she seemed to have secured the Democratic nomination, revitalizing a party previously burdened by Biden's missteps.

“I know it’s been a roller coaster, and we’re all filled with so many mixed emotions about this,” Harris said.

New 'Harris for President' signs already adorning walls

New "Harris for President" signs were already adorning the walls, accompanied by a California state flag, just over 24 hours after Biden concluded his campaign.

However, Harris confirmed that certain aspects would remain the same: she declared that she would retain Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chávez-Rodriguez, and his campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, to head her team.

A standout moment of her speech was when Harris delved into her experiences as the California Attorney General and her time as a prosecutor in the courtroom.

“In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds,” she said, earning cackles. “Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type.”

During her initial campaign appearance, Harris pledged to strengthen the middle class, advocate for voting rights and gun control, and issued a warning about Project 2025. She further assured that she would sign any legislation passed by Congress to reinstate reproductive rights.

Internet claims Joe Biden's video 'was clearly AI'

Following the news's spread online, social media users began to question the veracity of reports concerning President Joe Biden's well-being. One user remarked, "That was clearly AI."

Another suggested, "He needs to do a live press, conference or interview on camera. This doesn’t prove anything."

One commentator claimed, "This doesn’t even sound like Biden."

"This is all too staged for me. WHERE IS JOE!" another wrote.

One individual said, "This isn’t proof of anything."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.