Joe Biden and Donald Trump (Photos via Getty Images)
The sporting world was full of interesting reactions after Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he’s withdrawing from the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Just after 1:45 p.m. EST on Sunday, President Joe Biden announced that he will not seek reelection. The 81-year-old Biden also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

Biden was set to run against Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump for the second straight election. Trump easily won the GOP nomination and formally accepted it in Milwaukee, Wisconsin earlier this week.

Here’s how the sporting world reacted to the stunning news of Joe Biden’s decision:

Joe Biden has withdrawn from the US Presidential race.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2024

Not going to talk politics at all if any but this is one of those rare occasions that it’s unavoidable.

Biden did the right thing for everyone on both sides. But I think everyone can agree regardless of your politics that there needs to be younger choices than what is available.

— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) July 21, 2024

Can’t believe Joe Biden dropped out on the 20th anniversary of the greatest cutoff by an outfielder in MLB history by Manny Ramirez #RedSox pic.twitter.com/vpJ360bjVw

— Ryan Cleary (@Ryan_Cleary) July 21, 2024

Biden really retired before LeBron that’s crazy lol

— d (@difabBKN) July 21, 2024

Now that Biden is out, America needs The Rock more than ever!

After he defeats Trump, we can have Rock vs Tom Brady next election cycle.

Time for the celebrity President era to fully commence!

— Lincoln Nebraska (@NebraskaCapital) July 21, 2024

“some think joe biden withdrawing from the presidential race and supporting kamala harris is like jalen brunson extending w/ the knicks for $100m+ less guaranteed than he could get in 2025 but it’s really like lebron taking $1.3m less to keep the lakers $45k under the 2nd apron” pic.twitter.com/LRqfQiD53L

— Dan Favale (@danfavale) July 21, 2024

Joe Biden did the right thing.

Whatever you think of his politics, it takes a lot for someone to do the right thing and not seek re-election to the most powerful position in the world, and put the interests of the United States ahead of his own pride.

I’ll respect him for that.

— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) July 21, 2024

Telling my grandkids I found out Biden dropped out of the 2024 Election by scrolling on Twitter and seeing an NBA Insider break the news pic.twitter.com/LgQwuh3DWu

— Jordan (@JPens4Real21) July 21, 2024

BREAKING: Joe Biden will not be in the White House when the 2025 champion Knicks visit https://t.co/XO2cOM1nb6

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 21, 2024

Nick castellanos hitting a double almost 400 ft 25 minutes after Joe Biden announced he’s dropping out of the presidents race lmao can’t make this up pic.twitter.com/3vquKp1mRx

— John (@iam_johnw) July 21, 2024

Regardless of your politics, it’s hard to watch someone in cognitive decline. I don’t think anyone wants to admit that. Best for our country though. I respect that this decision was finally made. Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/zov5zr0kgG

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) July 21, 2024

Concerns about Biden’s health, state and ability to continue his presidential run started ramping up after his debate against Donald Trump on CNN in Atlanta, Georgia. When he won the race in 2020, Biden became the oldest person to assume office (78).

Biden’s decision marks the first time in 56 years that the U.S. president decided not to seek reelection. In 1968, Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek a second term, and Republican Richard Nixon narrowly defeated Democratic nominee Hubert Humphrey.

Joe Biden has been in politics for over 50 years. He was a Senator from Delaware from 1973 to 2009 before serving as the Vice President of Barack Obama (2009 to 2017). Biden also ran for President of the United States in 1988 and 2008, with Michael Dukakis and Obama winning those races, respectively.

Joe Biden’s Withdrawl Means A New President For Second Straight Election

Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in 2020 marked the first time a U.S. president lost in their reelection bid since 1992, when Democrat Bill Clinton defeated incumbent and Republican George H.W. Bush.

But with Biden deciding to step down, the 2024 election means there will be a different winner for the second straight presidential race. If Trump defeats the Democratic nominee, he’ll join Grover Cleveland as the only other president to serve two non-consecutive terms.