The Washington Post reported on November 20 that U.S. President Biden and people in the inner circle have recently assured the U.S.’ allies that he plans to run for reelection in 2024, in order to deflect concern about the 79-year-old Biden’s commitment to another election campaign and the increasing Democratic fears of a coming Republican return to power.

When Biden released the news of his intention to rerun, it was also when the Democratic Party became increasingly anxious after a six-month stretch that has seen Biden’s national approval rating falling more than a dozen points into the low 40s amid the increasing public concern about inflation, infighting among the Democrat in Washington and faltering public health efforts in handling COVID-19. The purpose of this message is partly to dispel the assumption among many Democrats that Biden may not seek to rerun due to his age and his dipping popularity. At the same time, this also effectively restricts Vice President Kamala Harris and other potential presidential hopefuls.

“The only thing I’ve heard him say is he’s planning on running again,” said former senator Chris Dodd, a Biden friend. “And I’m glad he is”. In addition, in an online fundraising event this month, Biden also told a small group of donors that he plans to seek a second term. Some Democrats expressed doubts about Biden's re-election message, saying that regardless of Biden's true intentions, in order to avoid weakening his standing, his team must express interest in reelection.