Former US President Joe Biden to Release Memoir Detailing Presidency and 2024 Withdrawal

Former US President Joe Biden announced he will publish a new memoir titled "Promise Me, America" on November 17, 2026. The book will cover his time in the White House, the challenges the United States faced during his tenure, and his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race after a difficult debate against Donald Trump. Biden's announcement comes amid ongoing political debate within the Democratic Party about his legacy and fitness to run for another term.

The memoir is set to be released shortly after the 2026 midterm congressional elections, a sensitive period for the Democrats. Biden stated the book focuses on the nation's challenges, the decisions he made, and his belief in America's promise. His presidency was marked by major crises including the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, inflation, and large infrastructure and economic aid packages.

Public attention, however, largely centered on Biden's health during the final months of his term. Reports of cognitive decline and a notably confused performance during a June 2024 debate with Trump preceded his withdrawal from the race. Vice President Kamala Harris replaced him as the Democratic nominee but lost to Trump in the election.

Biden's wife, Jill Biden, also addressed that debate in her recent book, revealing fears that Biden might have suffered a stroke during the event. The White House's initial explanation of a cold failed to convince the public. In 2025, Biden disclosed a prostate cancer diagnosis and shared in a video accompanying the memoir announcement that he is undergoing treatment and improving. He expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from the public and emphasized spending time with his family during his recovery.