Horror writer Stephen King made a surprise announcement [1] via X/Twitter on Monday, with the famed author joining a growing chorus of high-profile critics calling for Joe Biden to announce his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential campaign.
Even Stephen King is voting for Trump!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 8, 2024 [2]
King, an unapologetic opponent of former President Donald Trump, took to social media this morning to urge Joe Biden to bow out gracefully. “Joe Biden has been a fine president, but it’s time for him—in the interests of the America he so clearly loves—to announce he will not run for re-election,” the author tweeted.
As the Democrats continue to grapple with rising concerns about the president’s electability in the wake of a poor debate performance on June 27, King’s outspoken opposition to a second run by the current administration underscores the party’s alarm. Leading donors, celebrities, and party stalwarts, including Hollywood screenwriter Damon Lindelof and Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, have all joined calls for Biden to exit the race.
Adding to the mounting pressure on the beleaguered president is director Rob Reiner, who publicly urged him to step aside over the weekend [3]. The supporters of the incumbent administration have been throwing all their weight behind its re-election campaign, yet criticisms of President Biden’s performance continue to multiply.
Despite mounting criticism, Biden called into Morning Joe to brush off his opponents [4] and their calls for his exit from the presidential race. The 46th President of the United States claimed that such pleas are coming from elites within the party, dodging away from the fact that even members of his nearly uncontested Democratic party have expressed concerns about his bid.
🍿 NOW – Biden Challenges the ‘Elites’ in the Democratic Party to Try and Replace Him
“I’m getting so frustrated by the elites. I’m not talking about you guys but about the elites in the party…If any of these guys don’t think I should run, run against me. Go ahead…Challenge… pic.twitter.com/qFZUCzuRsn [5]
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) July 8, 2024 [6]