Jill Biden says Joe reached ‘deep into his soul’ before deciding not to run as she braves convention speech after insiders revealed she felt ‘betrayed’ by Democrats

Jill Biden described how she watched her husband Joe ‘dig deep into his soul’ as he made the historic decision not to run for re-election.

The first lady revealed the president’s struggle in an emotional speech before his farewell address at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night.

Insiders close to the first lady have said she was ‘dismayed’ by the betrayal of Democrats who publicly called on the 81-year-old president not to seek re-election.

But she put on a brave face and looked to the future by enthusiastically endorsing Kamala Harris in her convention speech.

She also took a swipe at Donald Trump in front of her grandchildren and the roaring crowd at the United Center in Chicago. 

As she left the stage she blew a kiss toward Harris, who was watching from her VIP box in the stands. 

President Biden, in his remarks, paid tribute to his wife of almost 50 years, calling her the family’s ‘rock’ and leading the crowd in more applause for her.

‘I still get that boom boom boom,’ he said of her, tapping his heart.

The 81-year-old wiped away a tear as his daughter Ashley welcomed him on stage for a speech marking the closing months of his 53-year career in politics. 

Earlier, Jill Biden revealed details of her husband’s decision to drop out of the presidential race, and described his love for his family and his country.

The first lady was there when Biden decided to exit the contest. She told how she watched him ‘dig deep into his soul, and decide to no longer seek re-election, and endorse Kamala Harris.’

She also referred to her husband’s campaign theme of preserving democracy and implied Trump, the Republican nominee, would be the enemy of it. 

‘With faith and conviction, Joe knows that our nation’s strength doesn’t come from intimidation or cruelty,’ she said.

‘It comes from the small acts of kindness that heal deep wounds, from service to the communities that make us who we are, from love of a country that shines with promise and renewal,’ she said, adding: ‘Kamala Harris knows that too.’

‘With faith and conviction, Joe knows that our nation’s strength doesn’t come from intimidation or cruelty,’ Jill Biden said of her husband

She received a warm standing ovation and cheers from the crowd as delegates waved green signs that read ‘Jill.’ 

The first lady still feels the sting of ‘betrayal’ from Democrats who privately offered support for her husband – and then publicly called for him to exit the presidential race, according to insiders.

But she is looking forward, those close to her say.

She was at the president’s side in Wilmington, Delaware, on the fateful day he made his decision after a relentless pressure campaign from party colleagues.

In fact, when he called Vice President Harris on Sunday, July 21, to inform her of his decision, he put the first lady on the phone.

‘We love you,’ she told Harris, a source familiar with the conversation said. She also called Harris’s husband Doug Emhoff, who she is close to. 

The first lady will join Biden and other family members on vacation in California after they leave Chicago on Monday. 

But much of her focus is on the fall when she’ll return to her teaching job at a Northern Virginia community college. She also plans to be on the campaign trail for Harris.

Naomi Biden and Peter Neal at the convention

Little Hunter, Natalie, Finnegan, Melissa Cohen and Maisy (ducking over) at the convention

Maisy Biden (in pink suit) held Baby Beau

It is a remarkable change from the 2020 race when Jill Biden was reported to be angry at Harris for an attack line in one of the early primary debates, targeting Joe Biden for his record on school busing in the 1960s as part of desegregation efforts.

Now, however, Jill is firmly in Harris’ camp. 

After Biden endorsed his vice president to be the Democratic nominee, the first lady posted to social media a handwritten note from herself endorsing Harris. 

‘Thank you for the trust you put in Joe—now it’s time to put that trust in Kamala. Love, Jill,’ it read. 

She also plans to take that message to campaign trail. 

‘Of course, she’ll be out on the trail for Vice President Harris in the fall,’ the source noted. 

But the first lady, who is known to hold grudges, hasn’t forgotten those days after the first presidential debate when many Democrats questioned her husband’s ability to campaign for a second term. 

‘The first lady was dismayed at people who privately supported her husband and then publicly did not stand by him while he was weighing whether to stay in the presidential race,’ a source familiar told DailyMail.com.

Jill Biden does a stage check ahead of her speech on Monday

Jill Biden has been a constant presence at Joe Biden’s side – including above when he spoke to the nation about his decision to exit the presidential race

Jill Biden has always been one of Joe Biden’s fiercest defenders and wants to ensure his legacy is protected.

And she is a constant presence at his side. 

On the night he gave his Oval Office address to the nation, announcing he would not seek reelection, Jill Biden sat quietly on the sidelines with other members of the family.

When he finished speaking, she was the first at his side, rushing to the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office to hold his hand.

Jill Biden will return to teaching and focus on her initiatives, including the Cancer Moonshot – above she and President Biden visited Tulane University to talk cancer research

This fall, Jill  will once again teach English at the Northern Virginia Community College, as she has done for years. 

She will also focus on her initiatives she started as first lady, including her Joining Forces and Cancer Moonshot work.