Biden bids farewell: "It is time to hand over to a new generation, to younger and fresher voices."

Joe Biden addressed the American nation this Wednesday for the first time since leaving the presidential race.

The 81-year-old president said that he made the decision to withdraw from the race to "defend democracy," "pass the torch to a new generation," and unify his party.

From the Oval Office of the White House, the U.S. president delivered a speech lasting about 11 minutes that was broadcast live by the country's major television networks.

Its objective was twofold: to explain the decision to end his reelection campaign and to define, in his own words, his legacy.

"I believe that my track record as president, my leadership in the world, and my vision for the future of the United States would all justify a second term, but nothing can stand in the way of saving our democracy," he stated.

"I have decided that the best way to move forward is to pass the baton to a new generation. This is the best way to unite our nation," he stated while sitting at the desk in the Oval Office, with several photographs visible behind him, including one of his son Beau, who passed away from cancer in 2015.

In the speech, Biden described Kamala Harris, his successor, as an "experienced," "tough," and "capable" politician.

"The speech of the corrupt Joe Biden from the Oval Office was barely understandable and it was sooo bad!" Trump wrote on Truth Social just minutes after the U.S. president's address ended.

Six months of work ahead

"During the next six months, I will focus on doing my job as president," he said, adding that he would continue working to lower prices.

He also stated that he will work to protect "the right to vote and the right to choose."

He said that "there is no place in the United States for political violence or any other type of violence," and stated that he would continue to push for an end to armed violence.

Biden also said that before leaving the presidency, he would ask for a reform in the Supreme Court, although he did not provide details.

Biden has only given four speeches to the nation during his term, two of them in recent days.

Biden's speech had a historic nature, as no presidential candidate has ever withdrawn from the race so close to the elections.

The closest precedent dates back to March 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969) announced that he would not run for reelection, but he did so at the beginning of the party primaries.

In contrast, Biden made this decision with the primaries already concluded and just three months before the elections.