The sharp Biden in speech that no one saw during campaign

It was a different Joe Biden altogether as the outgoing US President walked to the White House Rose Garden to make his first statement following Kamala Harris's stunning loss to Republican Donald Trump. Gone was the frail, sloppy, tired and gingerly Biden who dropped out of the race in July amid concerns over his age and health. On Thursday, as he addressed the nation, the outgoing president was calm and surprisingly upbeat.

"Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated," said an energetic Biden as he promised to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power. Biden's six-minute speech was devoid of any gaffes or missteps, as was seen in his previous speeches and debates, as the President made several references to election integrity, contrasting himself with Trump.

However, more than his statement, it was the "spring in his step" and his vigour that generated a debate on social media.

"Joe Biden is super sharp all of a sudden," one user commented. Another remarked, "Biden wasn't sleepy and sloppy as usual, but quite energetic and articulate". "He regained his youth, his vigour, his dementia cleared, his skin improved, halitosis retracted, he gained new vocabulary, his soul is singing," a third user said.

Another user tweeted, "Why did Joe Biden sound so lucid and normal in his address this morning? He doesn’t stutter once. He pronounces everything right. He emphasises things appropriately. He sounds completely fine."

However, just a few months ago, Biden came under severe fire from within his own party following a disastrous presidential debate performance against Trump. With more than 50 million Americans watching, Biden stumbled over numbers and words, and struggled to finish sentences. He appeared unfocussed, with blank eyes. Afterwards, he had to be helped by the First Lady off the stage.

It even prompted a swipe from Trump. "I really don't know what he said... I don't think he himself knows what he said," Trump had said.

It prompted a fresh round of calls for the Democrat to consider stepping aside. Rumours also swirled that Biden was being treated for Parkinson's disease -- a charge denied by the White House.

At least 20 Democratic members of the House of Representatives publicly called on Biden to withdraw from the race amid a slew of verbal slip-ups during his rallies.

However, the 81-year-old struck a defiant posture, saying he was the only Democrat who could beat Trump, and vowed publicly that he was fit to be President for another four years. Days later, Biden announced that he was withdrawing from the 2024 race for the White House and endorsed Kamala Harris.

The development left Harris with only three months to lift a fledging campaign for the Democrats. It turned out that her efforts were not enough to prevent Trump from returning to the White House for a second term.