Biden talks about passing torch in address

After the president concluded at 8:12 p.m., he was applauded by staff and family gathered in the Oval Office for about 60 seconds.

First lady Jill Biden and several of the president's grandchildren sat in chairs positioned along the wall to the president's left.

Ashley Biden, the president's daughter, sat next to her mother, with her eyes closed, taking several deep breaths during the first few minutes of the address.

The first lady held Ashley Biden's hand towards the end.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt watched from a monitor set up in the back of the room. The president's top advisers, Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti, were also at the White House to observe the moment.

House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries responded to Biden's speech in a statement on X saying the president "has run a great race and left our country a better place."

"He passed the torch to all of us. It is now our responsibility to save American democracy," he said.

The president looked back at his accomplishments in office noting that the country was still reeling from the pandemic and bounced back.

He cited the 12 million new jobs created, increasing wages and declining inflation.

"We're literally rebuilding our entire nation, urban, suburban, rural, [and] tribal communities," he said.

career in public service.

"My fellow Americans, it has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years," he said. "Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States but here I am."

"I give my heart and my soul to my nation, like so many others, but I'm blessed a million times in return for the love and support of the American people," he said. "I hope you have some idea how grateful I am to all of you."

During his address, the president touted Harris's work and encouraged Americans to look at her record during the election.

"Vice president Kamala Harris experienced. She's tough, she's capable she's been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. now the choice is up to you," he said.