Elections 2024 live: Kamala Harris drops first campaign ad focused on freedom, Roe v Wade and Trump ‘chaos’

Kamala Harris has released her first presidential campaign ad, the morning after President Joe Biden said he decided to “pass the torch to a new generation” for the sake of democracy and to “unite our nation” in his first speech since dropping out of the 2024 race.

In a reflective address to the nation on Wednesday night, the president said he still believes he should seek a second term but that “personal ambition” cannot stand in the way of democracy.

“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” he said. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title.”

During his remarks, Biden praised Vice President Harris and – though not mentioning Donald Trump by name – warned the US is at an “inflection point” headed into the election.

Harris has hit the campaign trail, speaking at a sorority national convention in Indianapolis and today at a teachers convention in Houston.

Meanwhile, backlash continues to mount against JD Vance after a 2021 video of him branding Harris and other women “childless cat ladies” resurfaced.

Doug Emhoff’s ex-wife Kerstin Emhoff and Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston have weighed in.

Jimmy Fallon has likened President Joe Biden’s address to the nation explaining his exit from the 2024 race to an awkward meet-up after a break-up.

OnThe Tonight Show, Fallon discussed Biden’s announcement on Sunday – where he said he was dropping his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris – followed by his first public comments about his decision in a speech on Wednesday night.

Amelia Neath has the story.

‘Basically, on Sunday, he broke up with the country over text, and tonight, he met us for