President Joe Biden will deliver a farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday. The speech marks the end of his presidency and a five-decade political career, concluding with reflections on his administration’s accomplishments and the challenges he faced.
The farewell comes under less-than-ideal circumstances for Biden. After initially seeking reelection despite age concerns, he withdrew from the race following a poor debate performance against Republican candidate Donald Trump. Biden then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost to Trump in November.
In a letter released earlier Wednesday, Biden acknowledged the unfinished nature of his goals, reiterating his motivation for running in 2020. “I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake,” he wrote. He highlighted achievements such as leading the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting domestic manufacturing, and addressing prescription drug costs.
Earlier in the day, Biden praised the newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, expressing hope for peace in the Middle East. The agreement follows more than a year of conflict and represents a significant moment in Biden’s foreign policy legacy.
Biden’s political journey spans decades, beginning as the youngest U.S. senator at age 30 in 1972. He made two unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 1988 and 2008 before serving two terms as vice president under Barack Obama. In 2020, Biden became the Democratic nominee and successfully defeated Trump to claim the presidency.
Reflecting on his life and career, Biden stated, “I have given my heart and my soul to our nation. And I have been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people.” His farewell address will likely aim to reinforce his vision for America and his hope for its future under new leadership.