The news that President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race swept through the entertainment world on Sunday, prompting a wave of reactions from people across Hollywood as well as other celebrities.
Longtime Democratic donors Barbra Streisand and Robert De Niro praised the president’s decision as patriotic.
De Niro, who appeared as a Biden surrogate outside of the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial took place back in May, called the announcement “an act of shrewd politics and selfless patriotism” in a statement to Deadline.
“Joe Biden is stepping aside to clear the path for another Democrat to become president … because there is nothing more important for our country than defeating Donald Trump at the ballot box,” De Niro said. “With respect, admiration, and affection, thank you Mr. President!”
Streisand also spoke favorably of Biden’s decision, writing on social media, “Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his 4 year term. We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy.”
Elsewhere, more Biden-critical celebrities reacted with a mix of respect and relief.
In a one-word post on X, formerly called Twitter, comedian Jon Stewart called the president a “legend.”
The “Daily Show” host had been vocal about his concerns regarding Biden’s viability as a candidate but stopped short of calling for him to drop out of the race.
Rapper Cardi B, who previously said she wouldn’t vote for Biden or Trump, seemed thrilled by the fact that Vice President Kamala Harris is now a favorite for the top of the Democratic ticket.
Other stars, like Lizzo, merely remarked on the wild times people in the United States are living through.
In a Sunday statement, the president announced he would be suspending his 2024 reelection campaign, writing, “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
While Biden’s successor will not be officially chosen until August’s Democratic National Convention, many across the political spectrum are already celebrating Harris as his heir apparent.
Shortly after announcing he’d be dropping out, Biden posted another statement, which said, “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
See the reactions right here:
