Michelle Obama has been hailed as the "only person who can beat Donald Trump" in the wake of Joe Biden's shocking withdrawal from his re-election campaign.

Biden, 81, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat presidential candidate in the race against Trump. However, online figures have shown their support for Obama, who was the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017m when her husband, Barack Obama, was President.

Dragons' Den entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, 31, previously supported Obama, a Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate and former associate dean of student services at the University of Chicago. He stated: "At this point only Michelle can beat Trump. That is fact"

The celebrity's sentiment has been echoed by others on Twitter tonight, reports the Mirror, following Biden's social media announcement. It read: "While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term."

Minutes after the 81-year-old politician shared the letter, Twitter was abuzz with praise for 60-year-old Obama, urging her to enter the fray.

Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota earlier this week remarked: "I don't think I'd be revealing any sort of polling secrets if I said Michelle Obama would probably be the one person that could step in and keep the party united and probably provide a little bit of a moving start because of her obvious notoriety."

One woman emphatically tweeted tonight: "If they choose anyone other than Kamala Harris or Michelle Obama, I will NOT be voting."

Another advocate took to Twitter saying: "Michelle Obama... your country needs you...PLEASE throw your hat in the presidential race...you can beat him and think your husband was the first black president and you can be the first black and woman...power couple extraordinaire."

A different user expressed confidence by stating: "Michelle Obama is the only one who'll defeat Trump."

Elsewhere on social media, another wrote opined: "In my opinion, Michelle Obama is the only real contender that could beat Trump - she would be able to energize voters, the party and has name recognition."

However, the father-of-four Biden made his stance clear online, declaring: "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats - it's time to come together and beat Trump."

Biden's choice was made while he remained in isolation at his Delaware beach house, following a Covid-19 diagnosis last week. He has been consulting with a limited group of trusted advisors and family on his political path forward.

Biden announced he would speak to the nation later this week to offer "detail" about his decision.

Top campaign and White House staff were informed mere minutes before the announcement was made public, insiders reveal. Biden had been contemplating his future for at least the last couple of days, keeping the final decision under wraps.