When he exited the 2024 presidential race, President Biden remained confident he could defeat former President Trump in a head-to-head contest. Aides confirmed that he still believes in his ability to win.

Despite intense media scrutiny for weeks, Biden was adamant about staying in the race, asserting that only the “Lord Almighty” could persuade him to step down. However, on the afternoon of July 21, he announced his decision to withdraw, although his choice to step aside did not seem driven by the fear of losing, as reported by the New York Times.

Following a disastrous June debate that raised questions about his age and mental sharpness, Biden saw his support dwindle. Polls, Democratic lawmakers, TV pundits, political commentators, and Hollywood celebrities largely withdrew their backing. As donors canceled fundraisers, the campaign’s finances began to dry up.

“Well, look,” Mr. Biden told Robert Costa of CBS News in an interview on Sunday. “The polls we had showed that it was a neck-and-neck race, would have been down to the wire. But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic.”

Political isolation seemed to be the driving force behind the president’s decision to leave the race.

“What began to change the president’s mind, people familiar with his thinking say, was the realization that if he stayed in the race, he was in for a lonely battle that would rip apart the Democratic Party, the cause he had served nearly his entire life,” the New York Times reported. “Would a man who views himself as the ultimate consensus builder in Washington want to wage an intraparty war that would run counter to the fabric of who he is?”

According to the New York Times, Biden reportedly asked two of his advisers when weighing his decision: “If we were going to do it, what would we say?”

However, once he made up his mind to withdraw, those close to Biden, who spoke with the New York Times on the condition of anonymity to discuss the president’s decision-making process, noted that he did not believe he was destined to lose.

“You know, in recent weeks, it’s become clear to me that I needed to unite my party in this critical endeavor,” Biden said in his Oval Office remarks delivered a few days after he dropped out. “I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term, but nothing — nothing — can come in the way of saving our democracy.”

“That includes,” he added, “personal ambition.”