Mark Hamill praises Joe Biden after dropping reelection bid: 'Thank you for your service'
Hollywood is giving a heartfelt salute to President Joe Biden.
In a historic move, Biden announced Sunday that he is ending his bid for reelection amid intense pressure from Democratic leaders, who had been sounding the alarm that his path to beat former President Donald Trump in November had vanished.
Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee in a separate statement on X. Harris responded that she was honored to have Biden's endorsement and that her "intention is to earn and win this nomination."
Following the political bombshell, several stars have taken to social media to thank Biden for his presidential work. They also showed their enthusiasm for Harris’ possible candidacy as the Democratic nominee.
U.S. presidential election:Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race and endorses Kamala Harris
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In an X post, "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill gushed that Biden has “a record of accomplishments unmatched by any president in our lifetime.”
"He restored honesty, dignity (and) integrity to the office after four years of lies, crime, scandal (and) chaos," Hamill wrote. "Thank you for your service, Mr. President. It's now our duty as patriotic Americans to elect the Democrat who will honor (and) further your legacy."
Barbra Streisand, Octavia Spencer, more tribute 'true patriot' Joe Biden
“Joe Biden will go down in history as a man who accomplished significant achievements in his four-year term," Barbra Streisand wrote on X. "We should be grateful for his upholding of our democracy."
Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer shared a photo of herself speaking to Biden on Instagram alongside an emotional thank-you message.
"Thank you for being a true patriot and public servant for this country," Spencer wrote. "You can retire knowing that your constituents have tremendous affection for you and all that you’ve sacrificed. You built back a better America. Thank you."
“I see a person putting the people before themselves and their pride today,” Finneas, producer and brother of popstar Billie Eilish, wrote on Instagram. “And for that, I have an enormous amount of respect.”
"Thank you President @joebiden for your service and decades of leadership," Julianne Moore wrote on Instagram. "And for leading the strongest gun safety administration in U.S. history."
Jamie Lee Curtis, Spike Lee support Kamala Harris after Joe Biden resignation
Harris is widely seen as the Democrat most likely to take Biden's place atop the party's ticket, and the vice president received votes of confidence from the celebrity world.
"Once again a sista comes to (the) rescue," director Spike Lee wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Harris.
Vice President Kamala Harris:As President Joe Biden steps aside, would America be ready for President Kamala Harris?
"I support wholeheartedly @joebiden and his decision to step down and to endorse unreservedly @kamalaharris," Jamie Lee Curtis wrote on Instagram. "She is trusted and tested, and she is a fierce advocate for women's rights and people of color and her message is one of hope and unity for America at her time of great national divide."
"All in for @kamalaharris," Amy Schumer wrote on Instagram. "Let’s (expletive) go!"
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Joey Garrison, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Michael Collins, Karissa Waddick, Marina Pitofsky, James Powel, Kathryn Palmer, Francesca Chambers, Sarah D. Wire, Rachel Barber and Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY