California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Tuesday endorsed President Joe Biden’s reelection bid, casting doubt on the prospect of his own potential 2024 presidential run.
“Our democracy is under attack. Our freedom is being stripped away. It’s time to step up—and there’s no one better to lead that fight than President Biden,” Newsom announced Tuesday afternoon.
“Looking forward to another 4 years of his leadership. Let’s show up big today,” he added, urging individuals to donate to the Democrat cause. “Every dollar counts.”
Newsom followed up, noting they raised $100,000 within a few hours.
“Let’s see if we can double it and show up BIG for POTUS. There’s too much on the line to not have the back of President @JoeBiden,” he said:
Newsom’s endorsement essentially ends the rumors of a Newsom 2024 presidential bid. According to TheWrap, an individual described as someone “close to Newsom” told the outlet that the California governor is setting aside his political aspirations to support Biden this round.
“When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are,” Biden said in the announcement video. “That’s why I’m running for reelection.”
He also struck a divisive tone, once again lambasting “MAGA extremists.”
“Around the country, MAGA extremists are lining up to take on those bedrock freedoms, dictating what health care decisions women can make, banning books and telling people who they can love – all while making it more difficult for you to vote,” Biden said.
VIDEO: Finish WHAT Job? Biden’s 2024 Announcement Lists No Accomplishments, Attacks “MAGA Extremists”
Former President Donald Trump, the clear frontrunner in the 2024 GOP race, said on Monday that Biden is worse than the worst five U.S. presidents in history combined.
“You could take the five worst presidents in American history, and put them together, and they would not have done the damage Joe Biden has done to our Nation in just a few short years,” Trump said. “Not even close.”
“With such a calamitous and failed presidency, it is almost inconceivable that Biden would even think of running for reelection,” Trump continued, noting the contrast between the two administrations.
“There has never been a greater contrast between two successive administrations in all of American history. Ours being greatness, and theirs being failure,” Trump added.