WASHINGTON — Joe Biden is spending the last full day of his presidency in South Carolina, a state that holds significant personal meaning for him, having been pivotal to his success in the 2020 Democratic primary. His victory there was instrumental in advancing his lifelong aspiration of becoming the President of the United States.
On the eve of the inauguration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, Biden plans to express his gratitude in this state, which he often refers to as the place that “brought him to the dance.” Accompanied by his wife, first lady Jill Biden, he is set to attend a service at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, where he will pay tribute to the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This event coincides with the observed federal holiday dedicated to the iconic civil rights leader.
Following the church service, the Bidens will tour the International African American Museum. This museum is situated on a historic waterfront site where tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were brought to America between the late 1760s and 1808, as detailed on the museum’s official site. Representative Jim Clyburn, a significant ally of Biden from South Carolina, remarked that the visit serves as a way for Biden to express his gratitude to the state.
“Joe Biden is showing once again who he is by coming back to the state that really launched him to the presidency,” Clyburn mentioned in an interview, emphasizing the importance of this visit. Biden had previously delivered a televised farewell address to the nation, signaling the end of his administration.
In the 2020 primaries, Biden’s campaign faced challenges after disappointing finishes in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Nevada. However, his fortunes changed dramatically in South Carolina, where he garnered overwhelming support from Black voters, particularly after receiving Clyburn’s endorsement. “I know Joe. We know Joe. But most importantly, Joe knows us,” Clyburn emphasized during that pivotal moment.
After taking office, Biden advocated for South Carolina’s position in the Democratic Party’s primary process, seeking to have it lead the nominating sequence for 2024, rather than New Hampshire. He successfully won the state’s primary that year, recognizing its critical role in his previous campaign. He later expressed gratitude to South Carolina voters for their pivotal support, which he believed reaffirmed their commitment to his candidacy.
Despite these efforts, Biden’s subsequent bid for presidency in the 2024 election did not unfold as anticipated. After struggling in a debate against Trump, he exited the race due to pressure from Democratic party leaders, although Clyburn notably remained supportive. Biden then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who subsequently became the Democratic nominee but lost to Trump.
Clyburn shared that Biden expressed a desire to visit the African American museum, which he helped establish, indicating a meaningful moment of reflection and gratitude. “This is his way of saying ‘thank you,’” Clyburn remarked, highlighting the significance of the visit as Biden bids farewell to his presidency.
