Joe Biden’s Kids and Grandchildren Told Him They 'Were Proud' of His Decision to Exit 2024 Presidential Race

Mar. 15, 2025

Joe Biden in March 2024.Photo:Sophie Park/Getty

Sophie Park/Getty

WhenJoe Bidenmade perhaps the most difficult decision of his entire career, his family had his back.

In a new sit-down chat withCBS News Sunday Morningpublished Sunday, Aug. 11 — his first interview sinceannouncing his exit from the 2024 presidential race— Biden, 81, revealed how his loved ones reacted to the news, which he announced on July 21 and expounded upon in an Oval Office address three days later.

“My grandchildren call me Pop, my children call me Dad, and they said they were proud,” he continued. “And it mattered to me a lot."

Joe Biden with his family.Naomi Biden Instagram

Biden also reflected on one of his family members who was not present — his late son,Beau Biden, whodied of brain cancerin 2015 at age 46.

When Costa asked the president if he was thinking of Beau while he and his family were together in that moment, he paused before replying, “Look, I can honestly say that I think of him all the time.”

“Whenever I have a decision that’s really hard to make, I literally ask myself, ‘What would Beau do?’ He should be sitting here being interviewed, not me,” Biden continued. “He was really a fine man.”

Biden also said that his late son “was committed to my staying committed,” which is part of why he ran for president in 2017.

Beau and Joe Biden in 2008.Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty

“We had a conversation toward the end when he was … we, everybody, we knew he wasn’t going to live,” he told Costa. “And he said, ‘Dad, I know, we know what’s gonna happen. I’m gonna be okay, Dad. I’m all right. I’m not afraid. But Dad, you gotta make me a promise.’

“I said, ‘What’s that, Beau?’ He said, ‘I know when it happens, you’re gonna want to quit. You’re not gonna stay engaged …. Look at me. Look at me, Dad. Give me your word as a Biden. When I go, you’ll stay engaged. Give me your word. Give me your word.’ And I did.”

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Joe Biden with Jill, Ashley and Hunter Biden in 2021.Rob Carr/Getty

Biden welcomed Beau — as well as sonHunter, 54, and late daughterNaomi— with hislate wife Neilia Hunter, and shares daughter Ashley with his second wife,first lady Jill Biden. Both Naomi and Neilia died in a car crash in 1972, at ages 1 and 30, respectively.

As far as the folks who call him “Pop,” Biden is aproud grandparent to seven. Hunter shares daughtersNaomi, 30, Finnegan, 23, and Maisy, 22, with ex-wifeKathleen Buhle, daughter Navy Roberts, 6, with Lunden Roberts, and son Beau Jr., 4, with his wife,Melissa Cohen.

Beau, meanwhile, welcomed daughterNatalie, 20, and son Robert “Hunter,” 17, with wife Hallie.

source: people.com