Joe Biden's team thinks they know the real reason why he endorsed Kamala Harris so quickly

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden's team reportedly indicated why the octogenarian swiftly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic ticket after announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 race.

The sole reason behind it was the incumbent's revenge on his prominent Democratic allies, including former President Barack Obama, who pressured him to step down from the reelection bid, insider sources told the New York Post.

The 81-year-old announced his historic decision to drop out of the race on July 21 through a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). Moments later, he endorsed Harris to step into his shoes.

Biden, who attributed his exit to "defense of democracy" in his public address on July 24, was advised by Obama to let delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month choose a new candidate, according to sources close to the Biden family.

Biden's endorsement for Kamala Harris was like 'knifing' Obama and Nancy Pelosi

Responding to what led Biden to immediately back his VP, one source said, "It was Joe's big f**k you. Joe said, 'If I'm out, then I am endorsing her.'" This might be the last effort by the incumbent to regain some control over his removal.

A Democratic Party source told the outlet that Obama, Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer intetended to conduct a "mini primary," which Obama deemed Harris would lose. According to multiple sources, the 44th president wanted Arizona Senator Mark Kelly "at the top of the ticket" at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Another source said Biden's endorsement of the vice president was "Joe truly knifing Obama and Pelosi in the back for making him stand down."

Meanwhile, another Washington insider claimed Biden would be taking an active role in the new Democratic presumptive nominee's campaign.

"It allows Biden to retain leverage as a much more experienced hand at national politics, which will be good for her," the source asserted. "It means her campaign won't be run by a bunch of insular advisors."

Biden's endorsement of Kamala Harris could be the last straw in his relationship with Barack Obama

Biden, who was Obama's vice president for two terms, hit a roadblock in 2015 when the latter convinced him not to embark on a presidential bid for the 2016 election. According to one source, "simmering tensions" have existed between the duo since then, when Hillary Clinton ran against Donald Trump.

"He was not encouraging," Biden told The New York Times, then noting the 44th president did not support his plans for a 2016 run.

Regarding the 2024 race, speculations indicated that Obama was behind George Clooney's op-ed in the NY Times.

Earlier, a report by the NY Times suggested that Biden was "irritated" by the former president for pressuring him to drop out. Sources said the president considered Pelosi as the "main instigator" and Obama as "a puppet master behind the scenes."

Barack and Michelle Obama endorsed Harris on July 26, nearly a week after she emerged as the presumptive nominee.

Internet unmoved as sources say Biden endorsed Kamala Harris to defy Obama

Netizens seemed to agree with the claims that Biden quickly endorsed Harris to challenge Obama. Many pointed out that the president had the last laugh against his former boss.

"Joe needs to take the ENTIRE party down with him , especially Obama Schumer and Pelosi. His legacy is already ruined due to the way they took him down. His legacy will be much more favorable by exposing these criminals. He won’t live much longer so he’ll never benefit from his legacy. So why not go out with something never seen and never forgotten ? And no matter what they try to pin on him after he’s gone will just look like revenge," a user commented below the New York Post's article.

"Whoever wrote that speach and follow-up endorsement for Kamala for Joe to post was pure genius! Democrat's threw him to the curb once they knew he couldn't beat Trump, so he got the last laugh endorsing a candidate who has zero chance of winning! As a bonus he managed to make a fool of Obama -he made him go from not endorsing Kamala to calling her to congratulate her on her nomination in 1 day LOL If Biden knew what happened I am sure he would be proud," another remarked.

"The video of the Obamas' phone call to endorse Harris was cringeworthy and utterly disingenuous. This is political Theater of the Absurd," added a third user.

"This is 100% true. Obama waited six months to endorse Joe in the 2020 race. Biden knew he couldn't win without it and held off for as long as he could. In the end he was president in name only as BHO pulled the strings," read afourth response.

"No doubt about it. It was Joe’s final volley," someone else wrote on X.

"@BarackObama got outplayed. The man fancies himself the ultimate kingmaker. Glad to see him finally taken down a peg," an individual added.

"Biden's karma to Obama for forcing him to drop out of potus race for Hillary Clinton vs Trump," another user chimed in.