Let’s cut to the chase—Joe Biden is out of the 2024 presidential race, and it’s not because he or Jill wanted it that way. The Democratic Party didn’t just nudge him out; they orchestrated a year-long PR campaign so calculated, so relentless, that it feels like something straight out of a political thriller. As someone who’s always digging into the underbelly of how power works, I’m here to break it all down for you. This isn’t just happenstance—this is a masterclass in shaping reality, and you need to pay attention.
The Spark That Lit the Fire: Biden’s Devastating Debate Performance
It all kicked off on June 27, 2024, during the earliest presidential debate in history, hosted by CNN. Joe Biden faced off against Donald Trump, and the results were brutal. Biden stumbled, struggled with coherence, and left viewers questioning his mental fitness. A CBS/YouGov poll just days later, on July 1, 2024, revealed a staggering 72% of voters doubted his ability to serve as president. That moment wasn’t just a bad night—it was the spark the Democratic Party needed to launch a full-scale operation to push him out.
If you’ve been following politics, you know debates can make or break a campaign. But this wasn’t just a fluke. The debate was scheduled months ahead of the usual fall timeline, as ABC News reported on June 27, 2024—a strategic move that amplified scrutiny on Biden’s age and health. The Democratic Party saw the writing on the wall, and they weren’t about to let their candidate sink the ship.
A Coordinated PR Campaign Unfolds for Joe Biden’s 2024 Withdrawl
Here’s where it gets wild: this wasn’t a spontaneous revolt. It was a carefully crafted PR campaign, seeded as early as December 2023. A Reuters article from December 6, 2023, quoted Biden saying he wasn’t sure he’d run if Trump were the opponent. That uncertainty became the foundation for a narrative that grew over months, culminating in his withdrawal on July 21, 2024.
The party didn’t act alone. The media joined in, almost like clockwork. After the debate, headlines exploded—CNN, PBS, The Atlantic—all hammering on Biden’s cognitive health and electability. A July 2024 Atlantic article even dove into the risks of COVID-19 for an 81-year-old, tying Biden’s health diagnosis that month (while isolating at his Delaware beach house) to the narrative of his unsuitability. As I noted in my X thread, the media didn’t just report; they shaped the story, dropping synchronized pieces that painted Biden as a liability.
Then came the big guns. George Clooney, the CIA’s favorite actor and a major Democratic donor, dropped a bombshell New York Times op-ed on July 10, 2024. In it, he called for Biden to step aside, citing his firsthand observations at a June 15, 2024, fundraiser. Clooney’s star power and party insider status made this more than celebrity activism—it was a signal to the rank-and-file Democrats that the elite wanted Biden gone. As Variety noted in July 2024, Clooney’s authority as an actor and activist gave his words weight, and the public ate it up.
But it didn’t stop there. Barack Obama reportedly leaked his private concerns about Biden’s candidacy in mid-July 2024, adding fuel to the fire. Longtime Biden ally Nancy Pelosi stopped short of endorsing him, and major donors started pulling funding, as CNN reported on June 30, 2024. The thread of dissent grew tighter, and the pressure became unbearable.
The Party vs. Democracy: Subverting the Will of the People
Here’s the kicker—the Democratic Party, the self-proclaimed champion of democracy, subverted its own process to oust Biden. On July 21, 2024, Biden announced his withdrawal via X, isolating with COVID-19 at his Delaware beach house. He didn’t immediately endorse Kamala Harris in his initial statement, which raised eyebrows—until his campaign account quickly followed with an endorsement. It felt staged, like the final act of a script the party had been writing for months.
The DNC’s virtual roll call in early July 2024, ensuring Biden’s spot on the Ohio ballot, was a red herring. Behind closed doors, the party was already plotting his exit. As a CNBC report on July 21, 2024, noted, Biden’s campaign crisis put Harris in the spotlight as the likeliest replacement, with other names like Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer quickly dismissed. The speed of this pivot—within hours of Biden’s announcement—screams coordination.
This wasn’t just about Biden’s health or debate performance. It was about power. The party feared losing to Trump, and they weren’t willing to risk it on an 81-year-old incumbent. But in doing so, they undermined the democratic process they claim to uphold. As I said in my X thread, “The party that loves Democracy just subverted it.” And that’s a bitter pill to swallow.
The Media’s Role: Shaping Your Reality
Let’s talk about the media’s role in all this. They weren’t bystanders—they were players. From the early debate coverage to Clooney’s op-ed, the narrative was relentless. A Pew Research Center study from August 2024 found that 68% of Americans believe media narratives shape political outcomes, and this was a textbook case. Stories about Biden’s funding drying up, his health risks, and even his “self-delusional” decision to run (as teased in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s forthcoming 2025 book, “Original Sin”) were drip-fed to the public, creating a drumbeat of doubt.
Biden tried to reassure supporters he was staying in the race, but as I pointed out in my thread, “People that are running don’t need to reassure you they’re running.” His denials felt hollow against the tidal wave of opposition. Within hours of a media story suggesting he’d bow out if he had a medical condition, Biden’s COVID-19 diagnosis provided the perfect exit ramp. It wasn’t coincidence—it was choreography.
What Happens Now? The Fallout and the Future
So, where does this leave us? Biden’s out, Harris is in, and the Democratic Party is scrambling to unify behind her. But the damage is done. The Republicans, as noted in a GW Today Q&A from July 2024, are already framing Harris as a continuation of Biden’s policies, using his exit to argue the Democrats are out of touch. Political analyst Peter Loge from George Washington University told GW Today that Biden’s withdrawal mirrors historical incumbent exits, but the speed and coordination here are unprecedented in modern politics.
This PR campaign wasn’t just about 2024—it’s a warning for the future. As I warned in my X thread, “PR runs your world, you just may not know it yet. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” The Democratic Party’s actions expose a larger act of public deception, where elite interests trump the will of voters. It’s a wake-up call to question what we see, read, and believe in the political arena.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re skeptical about the narratives fed to you, you’re not alone. This story isn’t just about Biden or the Democrats—it’s about how power operates behind closed doors. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or independent, understanding this PR campaign is crucial. It’s a reminder to dig deeper, question the headlines, and recognize when reality is being constructed for you.
Search terms like “Joe Biden 2024 withdrawal,” “Democratic Party PR campaign,” or “George Clooney op-ed” will lead you to more resources, but don’t stop there. Follow the money, the media, and the motives. That’s the only way to see through the curtain.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale for Democracy
Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 race on July 21, 2024, wasn’t a spontaneous decision—it was the culmination of a year-long PR campaign by the Democratic Party, fueled by media, donors, and party elites like George Clooney and Barack Obama. From the early debate to the final endorsement of Kamala Harris, every step was calculated to protect the party’s chances against Donald Trump. But in doing so, they sacrificed democratic principles, leaving us to wonder: who’s really in control?
Stay curious, stay skeptical, and keep questioning. This isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of uncovering the truth behind the curtain. Follow me, Jeremy Ryan Slate, on X (@JeremyRyanSlate) for more insights into the forces shaping our world.