Donald Trump has been warned about the threat posed by Vice President Kamala Harris as Democrats look to select a new nominee after Joe Biden quit the 2024 White House race.
Biden, 81, became the first President since Lyndon B Johnson in 1968 not to seek re-election after releasing a statement yesterday.
He said: "While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
The 46th President added: "Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this."
'Entire game changes!' Trump warned about threat from Harris but ex-President 'isn't worried' about fight with Dems pickREUTERSResponding to Biden's endorsement, Harris wrote: "I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party - and unite our nation - to defeat Donald Trump."
The situation shakes up the race to the White House on November 5 and Trump will have to pivot his campaign to whoever emerges as the Democratic Party's nominee.
Trump ally Pastor Mark Burns suggested the 45th President is more than ready to take on Harris.
He told GB News: "Trump isn't worried about Harris. It doesn't matter who the 'socialist' Democrats put up to run against Trump, the American people are tired of Democratic policies. They have failed the American people for the last three years."
Burns added: "This has no impact on President Trump's return to the White House as the greatest political comeback in American history."
Trump would become just the second Commander-in-Chief to serve two non-consecutive terms in the Oval Office after Grover Cleveland pulled off a similar feat in the 1890s.
The 78-year-old already appeared to be pricing in for a switch in Democratic challenger, with Trump pushing forward a campaign blitz against Harris in a number of key swing states.
Joe Biden's ability to govern has been thrown into questionREUTERSRepublicans have looked to use Harris' role as illegal immigration tsar to put pressure on the Vice President as she hopes to lead the Democratic ticket into November 5.
Trump was also brazen as he claimed Harris is an easier opponent than Biden.
The 45th President, who predicted Biden would drop out after last month's head-to-head debate, said: "Harris will be easier to beat than Joe Biden would have been."
Trump's chief strategist Chris LaCivita last week even claimed the former President would "love" to go up against Harris, with insiders suggesting campaign officials were preparing for his scenario weeks ago.
Opinion polls support positive musings from inside Mar-a-Lago by suggesting Trump is well-positioned to crush Harris on November 5.
The latest JL Partners poll put Trump 11 points clear of Harris, with his lead over Biden being much narrower at five per cent.
However, a Republican strategist warned Trump's inner circle should resist underestimating Harris ahead of polling day.
"Trump needs to be ready to take on Harris," the Grand Old Party insider said. "The entire game changes now.
"He's got a tonne of momentum but this will blunt it slightly. He's still got the energy on his side. This election cycle is an unbelievable ride."
Donald Trump Reuters
The race has already been altered by a surge in donations given to liberal action committee ActBlue.
ActBlue claimed a whopping $46.7million was raised just hours after Biden withdrew from the race.
Trump witnessed a similar surge in financial support following July 12's assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and used the Republican National Convention to show momentum is behind the GOP.
However, a number of legal obstacles could take some wind out of Trump's sails.
The Democrats have also claimed Biden's decision puts clear blue water between both parties over concern for the national interest.
Riley Roberts, who was a top Democratic speech writer during Barack Obama's stint in the White House, told GB News: "What a contrast between the two parties.
"One has closed ranks to nominate a 78-year-old felon who incited an insurrection and wants to be a dictator 'on day one'.
"The other had an incumbent President with a phenomenal record to run on - yet when confronted with difficult truths about his age, acted like responsible adults and put country over party and ego."
However, leading GOP figures have now suggested Biden should resign from the White House if he is no longer capable of running for re-election.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said: "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President.
"He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough."
Montana Senator Steven Daines added: "I no longer have confidence that Joe Biden can effectively execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief."
Kamala Harris
GettyDespite Republican attack lines now shifting to focus on Harris, the Vice President is not automatically the Democratic Party's nominee.
Obama stopped short of supporting Harris immediately and instead suggested Democrats should hold an open contest rather than coronating a successor.
"We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead," the 44th President said. "But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges."
Despite Obama's remarks, Harris could call on the support of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Newsom and Whitmer were regarded as potential successors to Biden, having received praise from leading Democrats after successfully managing their respective state briefs.
Ex-President Bill Clinton and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro were also quick to endorse Harris.
