LONDON, July 22 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Swathes of A-list actors, singers and other celebrities have come out in force to throw their support behind US Vice President Kamala Harris after Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race, reported PA Media.
Biden ended his bid for re-election on Sunday amid mounting pressure to step aside following the June 27 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump.
Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on Jan 20, 2025.
He has offered his "full support" to Harris to be the Democrat nominee.
'Star Trek' actor George Takei led a wave of celebrity responses to Biden's announcement, calling the president a "patriot" and urging people to "unite behind Kamala Harris".
He wrote on social media platform X: "I want to honour our President Joe Biden. He has served our nation admirably for decades, he is a decent honourable man, a hugely successful president, and a patriot. Now let us unite behind Kamala Harris and defeat Donald Trump in November!"
'Freaky Friday' actress Jamie Lee Curtis said the vice president was "trusted and tested".
In a post to Instagram she said: "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 colour and her message is one of hope and unity for America at her time of great national divide."
Grammy-winning singer John Legend posted a statement alongside an Instagram post calling for the American public to "elect Kamala Harris as our President".
"She's ready for this fight and I'm excited to help her in any way I can," Legend said.
']Abbott Elementary' star Sheryl Lee Ralph, who attended a star-studded Democrats fundraiser only weeks ago for Biden, posted a photo of herself and Harris, writing: "President Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris!"
Singer Katy Perry responded to Biden's announcement by singing a few bars from her recently released track 'Woman's World'.
"It's a woman's world, and you're lucky to be living in it," she sang in a video posted on Instagram.
Meanwhile, 'Hocus Pocus' star Bette Midler called Biden a "true American patriot", writing on X: "He's been a fantastic President, and it hurts that the circumstances have been so unique and historic that he was obliged to drop out. He is the rarest of politicians, a decent man who lived by his values."
She also called Republican presidential nominee Trump a "schmuck" for his response to Biden's announcement, in which he called Biden "the worst" president in US history.
Midler said: "So of course, the ever gracious Trump gives Biden another kick with his hobnailed boot as Biden steps down: 'Joe Biden was the worst president in history' ... but as we all know, with DJT, every accusation is a confession. Thanks for the confirmation, schmuck!"
US talk show host and comedian Jon Stewart reacted with a simple, one-word post to X shortly after the president's announcement.
"Legend," he wrote.
In a post to X, 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill, 72, said: "Joe Biden has a record of accomplishments unmatched by any president in our lifetime.
"He restored honesty, dignity and integrity to the office after four 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 honour and further your legacy."
'Funny Girl' star Barbra Streisand, 82, said in a post to X: "Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his four-year term.
"We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy."
Former chat show host Ellen DeGeneres said she was "grateful to President Biden for everything he's done" while comedian Amy Schumer said she was "all in" for Harris.
Elsewhere, pop star Ariana Grande shared Biden's post endorsing Harris as the new nominee of the Democratic Party.
Singer Cher wrote on X that it was time for the Democrats to think "way outside the box" and proposed a split ticket.
She wrote: “In my heart, I’m tortured because I don’t believe the Democrats can win the Presidency with ‘Pres Biden’ ‘Joe’ whom I’ve loved since we met in 2008. I campaigned for him I believe it’s time to pass the baton, time for dems to think ‘way’ outside the box. Maybe even a split ticket.”
-- BERNAMA-PA Media/dpa
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