Celebs & Political Giants React to President Biden Leaving the Presidential Race

Celebrities are reacting to President Joe Biden's historic decision to leave the presidential race a bit more than three months before the vote, as well as his immediate endorsement of VP Kamala Harris to take his place.

Former President Barack Obama wrote an essay praising his former veep, calling President Biden "one of America's most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me... [H]e's a patriot of the highest order."

President Biden's son Hunter Biden, who has weathered legal woes and withering attacks in the media, wrote about his dad, “For my entire life, I’ve looked at my dad in awe. How could he suffer so much heartache and yet give so much of whatever remained of his heart to others? Not only in the policies he passed, but in the individual lives he’s touched. Over a life time I have witnessed him absorb the pain of countless everyday Americans who he’s given his personal phone number to, because he wanted them to call him when they were hurting. When their last hopes were slipping through their hands. That unconditional love has been his North Star as a President, and as a parent. He is unique in public life today, in that there is no distance between Joe Biden the man and Joe Biden the public servant of the last 54 years. I’m so lucky every night I get to tell him I love him, and to thank him. I ask all Americans to join me tonight in doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President. I love you, Dad.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton wrote passionately about President Biden's record — and wholeheartedly endorsed VP Kamala Harris.

The Clintons wrote that Biden "has capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world."

They went on to state, "We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her."

Kerry Washington praised President Biden's decision and threw her support behind VP Harris:

Oscar winner Viola Davis posted a shot of President Biden and VP Harris smiling, writing, "I'm with her! ✊🏿💙💙💙💙."

Fellow Oscar winner Octavia Spencer wrote, "The time from handwringing and teeth gnashing is over! We must save ourselves! DEMOCRATS…ASSEMBLE!  #Harris2024."

"Abbott Elementary's" Sheryl Lee Ralph voiced excitement that the Democratic nominee might wind up being VP Kamala Harris:

Director Spike Lee is also assuming VP Harris will seal the deal and go up against former President Trump in November, posting a beaming photo of her and writing, "ONCE AGAIN A SISTA COMES TO DA RESCUE.🙏🏾👍🏾💪🏾👏🏾🙏🏾👍🏾💪🏾👏🏾🙏🏾👍🏾👏🏾🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜."

The "Veep" herself, Julia Louis-Dreyfus posted on Instagram, "Thank you, President Biden, for your service and for your extraordinary leadership and for your love of this country and all its people. @joebiden."

Democratic booster John Legend wrote on Instagram, "I'm so ready to work to help unite the pro-democracy coalition to reject Trump's authoritarian, oppressive Project 2025 and elect Kamala Harris as our President."

Jimmy Kimmel posted, "Thank you President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for your leadership, integrity, empathy and service to our country."

Jessica Alba wrote, "Thank you, President Biden - you are a true patriot and your commitment to public service has been nothing short of extraordinary. You have led our country with integrity and you’ve fought to uphold the ideals of democracy. A class act 🇺🇸"

"Star Wars" icon Mark Hamill tweeted, "Joe Biden has a record of accomplishments unmatched by any president in our lifetime. He restored honesty, dignity and integrity to the office after 4 years of lies, crime scandal and chaos. Thank you for your service Mr. President. It’s now our duty as patriotic Americans to elect the Democrat who will honor & further your legacy.”

"Wonder Woman" herself, Lynda Carter, posted on social media, "Thank you for your service, President @joebiden. You have done so much for the American people. Donald did nothing but drive us to the bottom. If you believe in America’s future and want an honorable leader, you KNOW it’s time to vote @kamalaharris for President this November!"

Major Democratic donor Barbra Streisand tweeted, "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."

Jamie Lee Curtis wrote, "I support wholeheartedly @joebiden and his decision to step down and to endorse unreservedly @kamalaharris SHE IS TRUSTED AND TESTED and she is a fierce advocate for women's rights and people of color and her message is one of HOPE and UNITY for America at her time of great national divide."

Cher, who had just expressed feeling "tortured" over whether President Biden should step aside, tweeted, "Hadn’t Seen TV/Talked 2 Anyone,So Didn’t Know It Had Happened.I Believe Its Only Chance 4 [the U.S.] 2 Remain DEMOCRACY. DEM PARTY MUST'REALLY,' 'REALLY' THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. 'WINNING IS ALL',DONT WIN CANT CHANGE ANYTHING & THE TIMES THEY MUST BE A CHANGIN."

Beyoncé's mom Tina Knowles praised Biden and got in formation with Kamala, posting, "New, Youthful, Sharp, energy !!!! You asked for it and our President Biden did what was best for the country! Putting personal Ego, power and fame aside. That is the definition of a great leader. Thank you, President Biden for your service and your leadership. Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let's Go ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #kamala2024"

Mark Ruffalo, no stranger to immersing himself in political discourse, posted, "Okay everybody, now we have our marching orders and time to hit the trail running. No to Trump/Vance. No to the right-wing Christian religious takeover of our nation. Nothing wrong with Christianity; just shouldn’t be running a nation birthed from freedom of religion. #StopProject2025 #womensreproductivefreedom #VoteBlue."

Christie Brinkley enthusiastically endorsed Harris, writing, "Sometimes the best man for the job is a WOMAN! 💙🇺🇸💙 @kamalaharris for the people‼️ And we the people for Kamala Harris‼️"

John Leguizamo took to Instagram, writing, "What a class act all the way! One of the best presidents since FDR! I’m going to miss Joe! Decency personified! Respect ✊🏽 chose country over self interest! My man! Republicans could take a lesson!"

Finneas Eilish wrote, "I see a person putting the people before themselves and their pride today and for that, I have an enormous amount of respect."

Comic Kathy Griffin — a major Trump foil — seemed enthusiastic about VP Kamala Harris' chances, should she become the official Democratic nominee, writing, "Let’s make history!!!! Finally!!!"

Another of Trump's sworn enemies, Rosie O'Donnell, had been using her platform to implore the President to stand down. In light of his decision, she wrote, "thank u joe biden - lets goooooo !!!!! #vote #harris #energize."

Yvette Nicole Brown, who is outspoken on liberal causes, wrote, "Be forewarned, if you pop in here w/anything but “Let’s go! #TeamHarris!” I’m blocking you on sight.  The need for us to show up & #VoteBlueUpAndDownTheBallot has not changed.   Only the name on the top of our ticket has.   Good vibes only.  Let’s Go!"

Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black and his husband, Olympian Tom Daley, posted an image of themselves with the second couple, with Black writing, "I’ve had the tremendous good fortune of knowing and admiring @kamalaharris since the very early days of working on the film MILK in San Francisco. She is a deeply good person who knows how to fight for what matters most for Americans, and when she fights, she wins. I am deeply moved to join President @joebiden in expressing my full support for Vice President Harris, and will do all I can to support her in this critical moment for our country. ❤️🤍💙"

"The Brady Bunch" star Maureen McCormick tweeted, "Thank you for your service Mr. President. Sending you a heart full of love, gratitude and respect. @JoeBiden."

Singer Nancy Sinatra posted, "Thank you, Mr. President. You are the epitome of greatness. A patriotic American who always keeps our country first. 🇺🇸 Your dignity and extraordinary courage will continue to create and cement your already exceptional legacy. Thank you Sir, for everything.  I am so sad. ❤️"

The U.S. election is November 5. Former President Trump and his running mate Sen. J.D. Vance will go up against whomever is declared the Democratic nominee, sometime before the August 19 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.