Biden says 'I gave my best' as he passes torch to Harris

An emotional U.S. President Joe Biden passed the torch to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris with a hug on Monday, delivering a bittersweet farewell speech at the party's convention in Chicago, during which he said he gave everything for his country.

"America, America, I gave my best to you," the 81-year-old Biden said, quoting a patriotic hymn during a nearly hour-long address that highlighted his accomplishments while urging voters to support his vice president against Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.

Harris joined him on stage after the speech, and the pair embraced as the crowd gave Biden a rapturous reception following his stunning decision less than a month ago to drop out of the 2024 White House race.

In a remarkable turnaround, Harris has reenergized the party and erased Trump's lead in the polls. However, Biden insisted he was not bitter about stepping aside. Instead, as he contemplates the imminent end of his five-decade political career, he expressed that he had done what he thought was necessary to ensure Trump does not return to the Oval Office.

"I love the job, but I love my country more. I love my country more," said Biden. "And all this talk about how I'm angry at all those people who said I should step down—that's not true."

Both Biden and Harris appeared to wipe away tears as the U.S. leader received a lengthy four-minute ovation when he first took the stage, following an introduction by First Lady Jill Biden and his daughter Ashley.

Several audience members were also in tears as Biden delivered his farewell address, leaving the stage to the strains of the song "Higher Love."

 'Gave my best' 

Earlier in the evening, Harris made a surprise appearance—Democratic...