US President Joe Biden and his team are preparing to announce his reelection campaign next week, with aides finalizing plans to release a video for the president to officially launch his campaign, three people briefed on the plans told The Washington Post on Thursday.
Biden and his aides have targeted Tuesday for the release of the video to coincide with the four-year anniversary of his 2020 campaign launch, according to the sources, though they also cautioned that the official announcement could be delayed.
Biden has signaled more than once he plans to run for a second term, but has been cautious thus far in confirming he plans to seek reelection. He said after the midterm elections this past November that he is targeting early this year for an official announcement.
In February, Biden said in a TV interview he âprobablyâ intends to seek reelection in 2024 but has yet to make the decision “firmly.”
Several weeks later, first lady Jill Biden gave one of the clearest indications yet that her husband will run for a second term, telling The Associated Press in an interview on Friday that thereâs âpretty muchâ nothing left to do but figure out the time and place for the announcement.
Bidenâs top aides have quietly undertaken extensive preparations for a run, holding regular meetings with the president and first lady since last year in the White House residence, according to Thursdayâs report. Anita Dunn and Jen OâMalley Dillon, two of Bidenâs top advisers, have been overseeing the reelection efforts, including interviewing staff for top roles, while the Democratic National Committee has funded research projects to study the election landscape.
The timing of Bidenâs announcement has been the source of debate among the presidentâs inner circle. An earlier announcement would let the president begin raising money for what could be a tough campaign, while waiting longer would allow Biden to position himself as above the political fray as Republicans battle each other for the GOP nomination.