President Joe Biden has made his first live remarks since dropping out of the 2024 presidential race – phoning in to let staffers know at campaign headquarters that “the mission hasn’t changed at all.”

“I know yesterday’s news was surprising and it was hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do,” said Biden – and definitely not AI – during the call with no video.

“The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all,” Biden continued. “And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be out there in the campaign with her, with Kamala.”

JUST IN: President Biden dispels rumors that he is dead, calls into Harris HQ to say he thinks he made the right decision to drop out.

“You know, yesterday’s news was surprising and it’s hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do.”

“I know it’s hard because you… pic.twitter.com/HrwiL3o65x

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 22, 2024

“I won’t be on the ticket, but I’m still going to be fully, fully engaged,” the voice which sounds like Biden continued, adding that he would do anything needed to support Harris.

Proof of Life?

The call was likely intended to serve as ‘proof of life’ after nobody has seen or heard from the president since he stepped out of the race on Sunday – less than an hour after his campaign manager was on television insisting he was in it to win it – and with no address to the country.

Just this morning, Biden’s campaign chair said he wasn’t leaving the race. Then Biden suddenly posts a resignation letter with no address to the country. Wreaks of a coup. https://t.co/snB2iu7qeW

— David Sacks (@DavidSacks) July 21, 2024

Which White House aides learned by reading the news on X.

Just this morning, Biden’s campaign chair said he wasn’t leaving the race. Then Biden suddenly posts a resignation letter with no address to the country. Wreaks of a coup. https://t.co/snB2iu7qeW

— David Sacks (@DavidSacks) July 21, 2024

Pssh… as if they can fake Biden’s voice!

Wait… WHAT???🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/6fh4PXhBBB

— il Donaldo Trumpo (@PapiTrumpo) July 22, 2024

Looks like they made Boebert’s deadline? Except, not in front of a camera.

I demand proof of life from Joe Biden today by 5:00pm.

He needs to get in front of some camera and discuss if he’s aware that he dropped out.

Hiding is completely unacceptable.

— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 22, 2024

Kamala isn’t helping…

Did Kamala Harris just almost say Joe is still on the recording?

pic.twitter.com/Dmt74z4erz

— Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) July 22, 2024

Of course, who needs proof of life when Biden just spat fire from the Oval Office?

The video goes harder than the written statement… pic.twitter.com/Yy1dYMSrvm

— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) July 21, 2024

No wait, dangit to heck. Who could have known that was fake!?

A deepfake video of President Joe Biden bearing our logo is circulating on social media. Biden did not make this statement. PBS News did not authorize the use of this video and we do not condone altering news video or audio in any way that could mislead the audience.

— PBS News (@NewsHour) July 22, 2024