How Media Outlets on the Left and Right Covered Biden’s Withdrawal

Political media across the spectrum devoted wall-to-wall news coverage and analysis of President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Depending on what outlet you watched, the decision was either exceptionally honorable or evidence of a “coup” by Democratic politicians.

Liberal sites and publications largely saluted Mr. Biden as a hero, even calling him “patriotic.” Commentators supported his decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee and portrayed the Democratic Party as unifying around her.

Conservative outlets were predictably more critical of Mr. Biden’s presidential legacy and his decision. Some said Democrats’ entreaties to him, encouraging his withdrawal, suggested the decision was a “coup” by party elites. Commentators also attacked his mental fitness and called for him to step down from the presidency immediately, months before the conclusion of his term.

Here’s how the news was covered by several outlets:

FROM THE LEFT

MSNBC

A growing chorus of Democratic politicians had been lobbying the president to withdraw from his electoral campaign. But on Sunday, the frustration expressed publicly and privately for weeks gave way to unambiguous praise of Mr. Biden’s decision and legacy.

That sentiment was echoed by the coverage from more than a dozen liberal publications. One headline on HuffPost called Mr. Biden’s decision a “patriot act,” in all caps. Salon said Mr. Biden stepping aside “shows us the meaning of unity.” And The New Republic said his decision was “the final twist” of a “surprisingly great presidency.”