First lady gives major indication that Biden will run for re-election


First lady Dr. Jill Biden on Friday gave one of the clearest indications yet that President Biden is planning to run for re-election in 2024.
The first lady, who is on the final leg of a five-day trip to Africa, was asked during an interview with The Associated Press if her husband would seek the White House again. "How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it?" she said. "He says he's not done. He's not finished what he's started. And that's what's important."
Dr. Biden added that there was "pretty much" nothing left to do but figure out a time and place for an official campaign announcement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This sentiment was echoed by the president's granddaughter, Naomi, who joined the first lady on the African trip. "Preach nana," she wrote on Twitter following the interview.
The president himself was asked about his wife's comments in an interview with ABC News just hours later. "As my mother would say, 'God love her,'" Biden said, adding that his "intention has been from the beginning to run. But there are too many other things we have to finish in the near term before I start a campaign."
President Biden has not yet committed to seeking re-election, but these comments seem to all but confirm that he will make a run for a second term. AP noted that White House aides "have said an announcement is likely to come in April, after the first fundraising quarter ends." This is around the same time that former President Barack Obama launched his 2012 re-election campaign.
Democrats continue to question whether Biden is the right candidate to beat a GOP challenger a second time.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
The female-led all-women tours in Afghanistan
Under The Radar Women are 'swapping cocktails in Ibiza' for visiting a 'terror hotspot'
-
An ancient Israeli cave teaches new archaeological lessons
The Explainer The cave is believed to be one of the world's oldest burial sites
-
Music reviews: Tyler Childers and Madonna
Feature "Snipe Hunter" and "Veronica Electronica"
-
House committee subpoenas Epstein files
Speed Read The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for its Jeffrey Epstein files with an Aug. 19 deadline
-
India rejects Trump threat over Russian oil
Speed Read The president said he would raise tariffs on India for buying and selling Russian oil
-
NY's Hochul vows response to Texas gerrymander
Speed Read Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to play ball with redistricting that favors the Democrats
-
Texas Democrats exit state to block redistricting vote
Speed Read More than 51 legislators fled the state in protest of the GOP's plan to redraw congressional districts
-
Trump criticized for firing BLS chief after jobs report
Speed Read Bureau of Labor Statistics chief Erika McEntarfer oversaw a July jobs report that the president claims was rigged
-
Trump revives K-12 Presidential Fitness Test
Speed Read The Obama administration phased the test out in 2012, replacing it with a program focused on overall health rather than standardized benchmarks
-
El Salvador scraps term limits, boosting Nayib Bukele
Speed Read New constitutional changes will allow presidents to seek reelection an indefinite number of times
-
Trump assigns tariffs, delays all except on Canada
Speed Read A 35% tariff on many Canadian goods has gone into effect