President Joe Biden's decision to end his 2024 presidential bid has left both White House and campaign staffers in shock, with many discovering the news through social media platforms.

This sudden and unforeseen announcement was made on X just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, causing a whirlwind of mixed reactions among members of Biden's campaign team, as the New York Post reports.

Announcement Stuns Biden's Team

President Biden's announcement to drop out of the 2024 race came as a monumental shock to many of his aides, who had anticipated his continuation in the campaign.

The news was particularly jarring for staffers who were not informed about the decision in advance and learned of it via social media channels.

A source close to the campaign revealed that senior team members were informed shortly before the public announcement. “He told the senior team right before. I’m sure they didn’t want it to leak,” the source said.

The president's campaign team sent out an email soliciting donations for "Joe and Kamala" just eight minutes after the monumental announcement, which added to the bewilderment and confusion.

Biden's Health and Convalescence

In recent days, President Biden remained in Delaware, having tested positive for COVID-19. Up until the announcement, campaign workers in Delaware were actively making calls to delegates in preparation for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

A Biden state official commented on the surprise among campaign staffers, stating, “I don’t think a soul in Delaware knew” about the president’s sudden decision to exit from the race.

This unexpected move startled even senior campaign members who had been operating as if Biden’s campaign was unequivocally moving forward.

Reactions and Frustrations Among Staffers

The suddenness of the announcement has led to frustrations among various ranks within the campaign, particularly with regard to senior staffers. Some junior aides, however, have expressed a sense of relief, acknowledging the resolution of an increasingly tense situation.

“We’re all finding out by tweet,” one Democrat close to the situation told Politico. “None of us understand what’s happening.” Despite this, junior aides sympathized with the necessity for discretion to prevent leaks.

A source close to the White House revealed that the more junior aides were not as offended by the last-minute notification. They understood the growing demands from Democratic officeholders for Biden to step aside due to concerns about his mental acuity.

Concerns About Biden's Mental Acuity

One prevailing sentiment is frustration with senior staffers who, many believe, did not advise Biden against running this year. This oversight, according to some, deprived the president of a more dignified and timelier exit from the campaign.

“There’s a lot of frustration at the senior staff who put him in this situation,” stated a source close to the White House. They added that a more foresighted decision could have facilitated a respectful withdrawal from the race nine months ago.

The dramatic announcement underscores the extent of internal discord and the external pressures faced by Biden’s campaign. The growing concerns over his mental acuity played a significant role in the mounting calls for him to withdraw.

Eleventh-Hour Actions

Interestingly, the Biden campaign continued to operate normally up until the announcement. Campaign workers in Delaware were actively engaged with delegates, under the impression that the campaign was continuing unimpeded.

The sudden revelation shifted the entire focus, leaving staffers to grapple with the unexpected turn of events. The email solicitation for donations mere minutes after the announcement exemplifies the disjointed communication and ensuing chaos.

As President Biden remains in Delaware, recovering from his bout with COVID-19, the ripple effects of his decision resonate through his team and supporters. The timing and manner of the announcement have left a lasting impact on the campaign's structure and morale.