The scene was not a pretty one as President Joe Biden addressed those closest to him about his departure from office.

The aging president appeared to cause even more confusion, speaking to family and longtime, loyal staff. As The Daily Mail reported, those in attendance cried as he addressed the nation via television about his exit from the 2024 campaign.

Biden was surrounded by his loved ones and those who helped make his political career as he spoke from the Oval Office. They applauded when he finished his 11-minute speech but they also wiped away tears.

The Family Response

After his completion, his wife of 47 years, First Lady Jill Biden, was the first to arrive at his side. Hunter, her son, followed her to the Resolute Desk, where he extended an embrace to his father.

The president was also hugged by the daughters of Hunter and the Bidens, Finnegan and Ashley. Finnegan was seen wiping away tears as she turned away.

Ashley's husband, Howard Krein, was also in attendance, as were other Biden grandchildren, such as Naomi Biden Neal and her husband, Peter Neal, young Hunter Biden (the son of the late Beau Biden), and Maisy Biden.

Mike Donilon, Biden's longtime adviser who has been in the room since the beginning of his political career; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre; and Annie Tomasini, Biden's deputy chief of staff, were among the staff members present.

The President's Reasoning

"This has been the honor of a lifetime," the president told those in the room and anyone listening from a distance.

Next, the crew joined other staff members in the Rose Garden, where they were served ice cream, the president's preferred dessert.

"Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher" - one of Biden's known campaign songs - was playing.

Biden expounded upon his rationale for withdrawing from the 2024 campaign while simultaneously asserting that he could continue to serve for an additional four years if he so desired.

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According to him, he elected to "pass the torch" to Vice President Kamala Harris in order to preserve democracy and unify the nation.

"I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America's future all merited a second term," he said in a primetime address from the Oval Office.

"But nothing, nothing, can come in the way of saving our democracy that includes personal ambition so I decided the best way forward is the pass the torch to a new generation."

"There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There's also a time and a place for new voices fresh voices. Yes, younger voices," he noted.