First Lady Jill Biden made headlines by expressing her belief that President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 re-election campaign was “the right call.” In an interview with ABC News’ Deborah Roberts on Monday, Jill Biden shared her thoughts on the transition.
“It’s time for something new,” she said, referring to the need for fresh presidential leadership. “I’ve had such a great four years,” she continued. “It has been the honor of our lives. It’ll be tough to maybe step away from it, but we’re starting a new chapter of our lives. A new journey.”
Reflecting on their long political career, she added, “We’ve been in politics 50 years. I think we’re ready for the new journey.”
President Biden made his decision to step down in late July, following a challenging debate performance against former President Donald Trump in June. The debate was so poorly received that it prompted many Democrats to urge Biden to forgo his re-election bid. Initially resistant to the idea, Biden eventually agreed, though he later denied that any party leaders were directly responsible for influencing his decision.
After the debate, Jill Biden joined her husband on stage, reassuring him, “Joe, you did such a great job! You answered every question, you knew all the facts!” However, she later acknowledged that the performance wasn’t his best but insisted that the family wouldn’t let “those 90 minutes define the four years he’s been president.”
In Monday’s interview, Jill Biden also expressed optimism about Kamala Harris’ chances in the upcoming election. “There’s a lot of energy out there,” she said. “Kamala Harris is going to win this, and it’s going to be just another chapter for the White House.”
She also revealed that the White House has undergone a major revamp aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. The renovation includes immersive and interactive displays, 3D renderings, and touchable artifacts, creating a more dynamic tour for the public.
“Being an educator, I walked these halls every day, and I thought to myself, ‘You know, we need something that’s more vibrant and comes alive,’” Jill explained. “So for instance – you may not have known that the White House didn’t always have water or electricity. This display tells you when each thing was added, who added it, and the timeline. It makes it much more interesting.”
The interview comes as Jill Biden has been campaigning on behalf of Kamala Harris, visiting key swing states like Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
