Biden teases new memoir slated for post-midterm release

In The Know Biden teases new memoir slated for post-midterm release Comments: by Steff Danielle Thomas - 07/15/26 1:26 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Steff Danielle Thomas - 07/15/26 1:26 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Former President Biden on Wednesday revealed plans for a new memoir reflecting on his single term in the White House, with the book set to hit shelves just weeks after the midterm elections.

The memoir, “Promise Me, America,” will offer his first-person account of the defining moments of his presidency, including accomplishments, major foreign policy challenges and his decision to drop out of the 2024 election after mounting pressure from fellow Democrats and concerns around his health.

It will also touch on the COVID-19 pandemic and Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., seeking to try and halt the certification of Biden’s win against President Trump in the 2020 election.

“‘Promise Me, America’ is about the challenges we faced as a nation. It’s about the decisions I made and why I made them,” Biden said in a video shared on social platform X. “It’s about getting the country through COVID, rebuilding our economy and restoring democracy after the attack on Jan. 6.”

“It’s about ending our nation’s longest war in Afghanistan, strengthening NATO, and supporting Ukraine,” he continued. “It’s about why I chose to run for reelection and why I chose to step aside.”

The work is scheduled to come out on Nov. 17, according to publisher Little, Brown and Company. The announcement also comes as Democrats seek to regain control of the House and Senate in November’s contests.

A slew of wins by more progressive candidates in primary races has shined a light on potential party divisions ahead of November as the caucus seeks to keep the spotlight on President Trump, affordability concerns and 2028.

Following a disastrous debate against Trump in June 2024, Biden withdrew his reelection bid as calls for generational change began to rise. He later threw his support behind then-Vice President Kamala Harris — who ultimately lost the election to Trump. Her own memoir about the experience, “107 Days,” has garnered its own mixed reviews.

The new memoir marks his third major book following “Promises to Keep” in 2007 and “Promise Me, Dad,” in 2017 about his late son Beau Biden. While many have credited his administration with key investments in infrastructure, clean energy and domestic manufacturing, others have condemned his refusal to withdraw from the 2024 race sooner.

Biden, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2025 and has since undergone radiation treatment, offered a brief update on his health in Wednesday’s video.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family. I’m dealing with a cancer diagnosis, been getting treatment, and it’s going really well,” he said, thanking supporters for their prayers and well wishes.

The publisher told The Associated Press that it will promote the memoir through interviews and a nationwide book tour following its release — three days before his 84th birthday.

“PROMISE ME, AMERICA is about my faith in America and the American people,” the former president added in the video. “I hope you’ll read it. And I hope it strengthens your faith in what we can do as a nation and a people.”