In a surprising turn of events, TIME magazine's latest cover features a striking illustration of US President Joe Biden exiting the presidential race, making way for Vice President Kamala Harris to step into the spotlight. This development comes on the heels of the first presidential debate between Biden and his Republican rival, Donald Trump.
The cover, released this week, vividly captures the moment with an image of Biden stepping aside, while Harris moves forward with determination. The headline accompanying the cover reads, "The Torch Passes," symbolizing the significant shift in the Democratic Party's presidential campaign.
This isn't the first time TIME has depicted the turmoil within Biden's campaign. On June 28, following the intense presidential debate, the magazine released a cover featuring a solemn image of Biden with the word "Panic" emblazoned across it.
The cover reflected the growing concerns among Democrats about Biden's performance and his ability to secure a second term in office.
Biden's decision to withdraw from the race has been attributed to mounting pressure from within his party, who have expressed doubts about his mental acuity and capability to defeat Trump.
In a statement released on X, Biden addressed the nation, affirming his commitment to serve as President and Commander-in-Chief until the end of his term in January 2025.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote.
