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Biden campaign tapped 24-year-old ‘social media whiz’ to post president’s dropout letter, new book reveals
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Former President Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign staffers scrambled to quickly roll out the then-president’s announcement that he was dropping out of his reelection race on a Sunday afternoon in summer 2024, including tapping a «trusted» 24-year-old «social media whiz» to publish Biden’s letter with little warning or details of the bombshell reveal, according to a new book reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Biden, as well as former first lady Jill Biden, made a series of calls to White House officials and campaign staffers July 21, 2024, that he was set to announce he was dropping out of the race, including calls to then-Vice President Kamala Harris and chair of the campaign Jen O’Malley Dillon just hours before the news went public, according to the book «2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,» which was published Tuesday.
O’Malley Dillon reportedly took the news in tears before she called a campaign deputy to ready a public announcement on the election exit, the book reported.
BIDEN AIDES PUSHED FOR EARLY DEBATE TO SHOW OFF BIDEN’S ‘STRENGTH,’ EXPOSE TRUMP’S ‘WEAKNESS,’ BOOK SAYS
Former President Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign staffers scrambled to quickly roll out the then-president’s announcement that he was dropping out of his re-election race on a Sunday afternoon in summer 2024. (Susan Walsh/The Associated Press)
«O’Malley Dillon called one of her deputies, Rob Flaherty, but he didn’t pick up,» the book claims of that hectic Sunday afternoon. «He was walking in Wilmington’s Alapocas Run State Park with his wife, Carla Frank, who oversaw the campaign’s surrogate operation. The two were talking about the state of the campaign and speculating about what might happen if Biden did drop out. About midway into their hike, Frank started to scale a rock wall, and Flaherty looked down at his phone. He saw the missed call from O’Malley Dillon, swore, and called her back.»
«In forty-five minutes, we’re going to post a letter and it says that he’s going to drop out,» she told him. «You can’t tell anybody. Can you get to a computer?»
Flaherty said he could be at his computer in 30 minutes, but O’Malley Dillon needed him online sooner, according to the book.
ART OF THE SURGE: BEHIND THE SCENES ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ROAD BACK TO WHITE HOUSE
The book detailed that Flaherty did not have access to the campaign’s social media accounts despite overseeing «the campaign’s digital efforts,» and called on a 24-year-old staffer to assist with the massive announcement.
«Flaherty oversaw the campaign’s digital efforts but did not have access to the social media accounts,» the book detailed. «He never actually posted from them. O’Malley Dillon asked if he had someone he trusted who could hit publish. Flaherty did. His name was Parker Butler, a twenty-four-year-old social media whiz. O’Malley Dillon approved, and Flaherty called Butler.»
Former President Joe Biden announced his departure from the 2024 election via a letter that was posted to his social accounts at 1:46 p.m. July 21, 2024. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
The book continued of the pair’s reported conversation: «‘Are you near a computer?’ he said. ‘I’m going to send you a letter in about thirty minutes. I need you to post it in forty-five minutes on Twitter and Instagram and whatever.’ He didn’t tell him what the letter would say.»
Flaherty and his wife were, meanwhile, still attempting to find their way out of the woods during the dropout scramble and ultimately «sprinted up a hill and called an Uber,» according to the book.
As Flaherty passed the letter announcing the drop out to Butler for publication, Biden held a Zoom meeting with White House staffers announcing the decision.
BIDEN MADE HARRIS CAMPAIGN A ‘NIGHTMARE,’ DESTROYED HER CHANCES BY STAYING IN 2024 RACE TOO LONG, AIDES CHARGE
«Flaherty was in the Uber when he received the letter and passed it to Butler, around 1:35,» the book found. «Around the same time, senior White House and campaign staff received an invite for a Zoom, at 1:45. As the staff logged on, Butler hit send on the letter.»
«Biden, with his camera off, told his team that he had decided not to run for reelection,» the book continued. «Among those finding out for the first time was Anita Dunn, who’d been one of the campaign’s top officials. Biden said a letter would be shared with the public shortly. It was already online.»
Former President Joe Biden did not endorse then Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor in the letter, but instead threw his support behind his vice president in a follow-up X post shortly thereafter. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Biden announced his departure from the race via the letter that was posted to his social accounts at 1:46 p.m. July 21, 2024.
BIDEN DENIES HE LEFT 2024 RACE TOO LATE TO STOP TRUMP, SAYS IT WOULDN’T HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE
«It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,» the letter read. «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 did not endorse Harris as his successor in the letter, but instead threw his support behind his vice president in a follow-up X post shortly thereafter.
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«2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,» was published Tuesday and authored by Josh Dawsey of the Wall Street Journal, Tyler Pager of the New York Times and Isaac Arnsdorf of the Washington Post.
Biden’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the book and its claims on Tuesday afternoon.
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Chicago’s budget shortfall puts spotlight on Mamdani’s ‘socialism’ agenda for New York City
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson warns that finances in the nation’s third most populous city have «reached a point of no return.»
The mayor said this week that the city will need to take steps to deal with looming budget shortfalls and that key systems that Chicago provides, including education, housing, health care and transportation, are «woefully underfunded.»
Eight-hundred miles to the east, there are concerns in the nation’s most populous city that if democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani wins the election in November as New York City’s next mayor, the city could be headed for a fiscal abyss similar to the crisis half a century ago, when it came close to bankruptcy.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE WARNS ‘HALLOWEEN COMES EARLY ‘ AS CITY FACES SHORTFALLS
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Party’s mayoral nominee in New York City, speaks to reporters on Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the 2025 race for New York City’s Democratic Party mayor nomination and who is running for re-election as an independent, struck a deal with the city council on a roughly $116 billion budget for fiscal year 2026.
«There are no perfect budgets. But we have come a long way, and this one gets pretty close,» City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said at a press conference announcing the deal in late June.
CUOMO FLIPS SCIPT ON MAMDANI IN NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL RACE
But the 33-year-old Mamdani, who is the polling frontrunner over Adams, former New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and two other contenders in November’s general election, is running on an expensive platform to tackle affordability and inequality in one of the nation’s most expensive cities.
Mamdani grabbed national attention in late June after topping Cuomo and nine other candidates in the Democratic Party primary, as he took a big step towards becoming the first Muslim and first millennial mayor.
Former New York Governor and independent candidate for NYC Mayor Andrew Cuomo attends the funeral of slain NYPD officer Didarul Islam at Parkchester Jame Masjid on July 31, 2025 in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx borough in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Mamdani, a Ugandan-born state assemblyman from the New York City borough of Queens, is proposing to eliminate fares to ride New York City’s vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) «tuition-free,» freezing rents on municipal housing, offering «free childcare» for children up to age 5, and setting up government-run grocery stores.
There are concerns that the significant spending increases to pay for Mamdani’s proposals, along with the possibility of revenue shortfalls, could put a strain on New York City’s budget.
And at the center of Mamdani’s proposals to pay for his pricey plans is a «millionaire’s tax,» which critics say will spur ultra-wealthy New York City residents to flee.
Mamdani’s agenda has given Republicans plenty of fodder to use to go on offense, as they spotlight his «socialist» policies and try to anchor him to Democrats facing challenging re-elections next year. President Donald Trump has gone further, accusing Mamdani of being a «communist.»
And Mamdani’s rivals in November’s mayoral election are also taking aim at him.
Adams has said Mamdani is making «false promises» that will hurt low-income New Yorkers. And the mayor argues that Mamdani’s proposal to set up government-run supermarkets will «devastate the local bodegas and local stores.»
New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially launches his independent re-election bid on June 26, 2025, in New York City. (AP)
Cuomo, as he proposed his own plan to address affordability in New York City, said on Thursday that Mandani is «proposing a theory of socialism that has never worked anywhere.»
«What is the best answer to affordability? It is business development. It is opportunity. It is jobs. It is economic growth. It is not anti-business socialism,» Cuomo said as he asked and answered his own question.
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Firing back, Mamdani campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec claimed that «trusting Andrew Cuomo to address New York’s affordability crisis is the equivalent of tasking an arsonist with putting out a fire — he created this crisis.»
«Trusting Andrew Cuomo to address New York’s affordability crisis is the equivalent of tasking an arsonist with putting out a fire — he created this crisis,» Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said in a statement.
zohran mamdani,donald trump,andrew cuomo,ericadams,new york city,chicago,2025 2026 elections coverage,elections
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Vice President JD Vance struck a conciliatory tone on Friday after touching down in London when he told reporters the U.S. and U.K. may disagree on strategy when it comes to ending the war in Gaza, but they «share» the same goal of peace.
«We have no plans to recognize a Palestinian state,» Vance said ahead of a meeting with U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy. «I don’t know what it would mean to really recognize a Palestinian State, given the lack of a functional government there.
«Obviously, it’s not an easy problem to solve, or it would have already been dealt with,» he added, noting the need to not only eradicate Hamas but to end the humanitarian crisis across the Gaza Strip. «But we share, I think, that focus and that goal.
«We may have some disagreements about how exactly to accomplish that goal, and we’ll talk about that today,» Vance added.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance shakes hands with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during a meeting at Chevening House on August 8, 2025, in Sevenoaks, England. (Suzanne Plunkett – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
ISRAEL SECURITY CABINET APPROVES PLAN TO OCCUPY GAZA CITY
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in late July a major shift in UK policy toward Israel and said that if Jerusalem does not agree to a ceasefire by September, it would recognize a Palestinian state – a status that Israeli leaders have long objected to.
Starmer’s warning, which echoed similar positions taken by France and Canada, was in direct response to growing frustration with Israel over its continued military operations and the dire humanitarian situation that Palestinians have been facing for months.
Though the U.K.’s approach to dealing with the escalating situation runs counter to President Donald Trump’s position when it comes to recognizing a two-state solution, Trump has also increasingly expressed his concern over access to food aid and the «real starvation» there.
It is unclear how the U.S. will be increasing its involvement to help with food aid, but the Trump administration has distanced itself from its top allies when it comes to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, with Trump telling reporters on Monday that it was «pretty much up to Israel.»
Palestinians, carrying pans, gather to receive hot meals on July 23, 2025. (Khames Alrefi/Anadolu via Getty Images)
NETANYAHU VOWS TO TAKE FULL CONTROL OF GAZA STRIP, ‘LIBERATE’ PEOPLE FROM HAMAS
Israel’s security cabinet on Friday approved a plan formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to occupy Gaza City despite international pushback.
But Netanyahu countered any immediate geopolitical outcry in a post on X and said, «We are not going to occupy Gaza – we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.
«Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organization,» he added. «This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future.»
Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. (Reuters)
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The plan is still expected to be met with international condemnation, but it’s not the only issue at the top of Western minds as Vance and Lammy meet on Friday.
«We have a lot to discuss. There’s a lot going on in the world,» Vance said. «Of course, the situation in the Middle East, the situation with Ukraine and Russia. There’s a lot of news there and a lot of things to update each other on.»
Apart from the major international security concerns, the duo are also expected to address economic partnerships, which could include recent U.S. tariff announcements.
israel,jd vance,middle east,united kingdom,world,donald trump,benjamin netanyahu
INTERNACIONAL
Alemania suspendió las exportaciones militares a Israel: Netanyahu criticó la medida de Merz
Alemania anunció este viernes la suspensión “hasta nuevo aviso” de las exportaciones de material militar que podría ser utilizado por Israel en operaciones en la Franja de Gaza, según declaraciones del canciller Friedrich Merz. La decisión se produce después de que el gabinete de seguridad israelí aprobara en la madrugada un plan militar destinado a ocupar la Ciudad de Gaza, en el marco de un conflicto armado que se acerca a dos años y ha suscitado una creciente presión internacional.
El primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, trasladó personalmente su “decepción” a Merz tras comunicarse telefónicamente, de acuerdo con la oficina de Netanyahu. El mandatario expresó en un comunicado que, “en lugar de apoyar la guerra justa de Israel contra Hamas, que llevó a cabo el ataque más horrendo contra el pueblo judío desde el Holocausto, Alemania premia el terrorismo de Hamas con su embargo de armas a Israel”. Netanyahu subrayó que el objetivo de su gobierno “no es tomar Gaza, sino liberar Gaza de Hamas y permitir que se establezca un gobierno pacífico” en el enclave.
En respuesta, Merz afirmó que Israel “tiene derecho a defenderse del terrorismo de Hamas” y reiteró que la liberación de los rehenes israelíes y las negociaciones para un alto el fuego son “la máxima prioridad” para su gobierno. El canciller argumentó que la reciente ofensiva israelí “dificulta cada vez más” la posibilidad de lograr estos objetivos, y explicó que, en consecuencia, el Gobierno Federal no aprobará exportaciones de armamento hacia Israel que puedan ser utilizadas en Gaza mientras continúe la actual situación militar.
La medida marca un cambio notable en la política exterior de Alemania, que, junto con Estados Unidos e Italia, figura entre los principales proveedores de equipos militares del ejército israelí. El Instituto Internacional de Investigación para la Paz de Estocolmo (SIPRI) reportó que Alemania suministró el 30% de las importaciones de defensa de Israel el año pasado, incluidas corbetas Sa’ar y motores para tanques Merkava y transportes Namer que operan activamente en el terreno gazatí. El Ministerio de Economía alemán cifró en 485 millones de euros (alrededor de 565 millones de dólares) el valor de aprobaciones de exportaciones de defensa a Israel entre octubre de 2023 y mayo de 2025.
El canciller Merz insistió en que “Hamas no debe tener ningún papel en el futuro de Gaza”, pero enfatizó que una acción militar más severa “obliga a Israel a asumir una responsabilidad aún mayor hacia la población palestina”. Solicitó explícitamente el acceso sin restricciones de ayuda humanitaria, incluso para organizaciones de la ONU y otras ONG, ante una situación humanitaria calificada como crítica por Naciones Unidas y diversos organismos internacionales de derechos humanos.
La posición alemana cobra especial relevancia debido a la histórica política proisraelí de Berlín en el contexto europeo, forjada en gran parte por la memoria del Holocausto. Alemania se había resistido en los debates de la Unión Europea a endurecer colectivamente la postura frente a Tel Aviv, o secundar anuncios como los de Francia y Reino Unido en torno al reconocimiento de un Estado palestino o la imposición de sanciones a colonos israelíes.
Diversos gobiernos europeos, entre ellos Países Bajos, Dinamarca y Eslovenia, aumentaron recientemente la presión diplomática y militar sobre Israel. Eslovenia prohibió ya las exportaciones e importaciones de armas con destino al país a raíz de las operaciones israelíes en Gaza. La presidenta de la Comisión Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, manifestó en la red X que la ampliación de la ofensiva israelí “debe reconsiderarse” y pidió aumentar la entrada de ayuda. Funcionarios de República Checa y Países Bajos también advirtieron sobre los riesgos de escalar la operación militar.
Desde el inicio de la guerra, desencadenada por el asalto de Hamas el 7 de octubre de 2023 que dejó 1.200 muertos y 251 secuestrados en Israel, la ofensiva aérea y terrestre israelí ha provocado decenas de miles de muertes en Gaza, vastos desplazamientos y extensos daños a infraestructuras, acercando al enclave a una situación de hambruna.
La medida anunciada por Berlín sigue sin detallar qué sistemas concretos quedan afectados, y el gabinete de Merz evitó especificar los equipos incluidos. Analistas internacionales estiman que el freno será temporal y especializado en componentes susceptibles de uso directo en Gaza. El gobierno alemán también instó a Israel a “no dar más pasos hacia la anexión de Cisjordania” y advirtió que su responsabilidad humanitaria “aumenta” bajo la nueva ofensiva, mientras decenas de miles de civiles palestinos se preparan para nuevos desplazamientos y se mantiene la incertidumbre sobre la suerte de los rehenes israelíes todavía cautivos en el enclave.
(Con información de Europa Press y AP)
conflict,government aid,human rights,politics,unrest, conflicts and war,war
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