Jeremy Vine faces backlash for social media post saying death of Joe Biden's wife Neilia, 30, and daughter, one, in 1972 car crash 'must have been worse' than quitting the presidential election race

Jeremy Vine was criticised today after tweeting that the death of Joe Biden's wife and daughter in a car crash 'must have been worse' than him quitting the presidential election race. 

The US president, 81, announced he would not stand for election yesterday after coming under increasing pressure over his cognitive decline.

Shortly after the announcement, the BBC Radio 2 presenter took to X to compare the 'bad day' Mr Biden was experiencing with the aftermath of the fatal crash that killed his wife, Neilia, 30, and one-year-old daughter, Naomi, in December 1972. 

He wrote: 'A bad day for @JoeBiden — but this one, in 1972, must have been worse. Soon after he was first elected Delaware senator in Nov'72, a car crash killed his wife and infant daughter and badly hurt his two young sons. He was sworn in at their bedside in hospital.' 

The post was later deleted after being criticised for being in poor taste.

Sebastian Mathews, a communications executive at the Cognito agency, called the post 'so embarrassing'.

He tweeted: 'As he's a senior broadcaster, I really do hope that one day he thinks about his views and doesn't assume them to have value just because they are his.'

Internet personality Jay Motty said: 'Jeremy Vine has now deleted this. I'm amazed he thought it, wrote it out, posted it and left it up for over an hour. Absolutely insane.' 

Other X users criticised him for copying Mr Biden into the post.  

Mr Vine later reacted to remarks by Donald Trump that Mr Biden was 'never' fit to be president by saying: 'I thought there was usually a moment of public respect when someone ends five decades of public service – or is that old hat?'

Neila Biden was driving in the family car with her three children when it collided with a tractor-trailer near Hockessin, Delaware. Neilia and Naomi died and Beau and Hunter were injured but survived. 

Mr Biden, a young senator who had been elected just a month earlier, was sworn into Congress in the hospital, at his children's bedside.  He then began to commute to Washington from Wilmington, Delaware, a daily four-hour journey. 

In 1977, Mr Biden wed his second wife, Jill, with whom he has one daughter, Ashley, now aged 43.

He tragically lost his second son, Beau, to cancer in 2015.  

Speaking in 2015, Mr Biden said: 'The incredible bond I have with my children is the gift I'm not sure I would have had, had I not been through what I went through [after the fatal crash]. 

'But by focusing on my sons, I found my redemption.'

Joe Biden's brother, Frank, claimed yesterday that his elder sibling was bowing out of the race due to health concerns.

Frank made comments to both CBS and ABC News, telling CBS 'in my humble opinion absolutely' the president's health was part of Biden's decision to announce that he wouldn't run for reelection - endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the process.

'Selfishly, I will have him back to enjoy whatever time we has left,' Frank Biden told CBS.

He also told ABC News that the decision 'boils down' to Biden's 'overall health and vitality' but also 'beating this genuine threat to our nation in the form of Donald Trump.'

But a Biden family source poured very hot water on Frank's claims. 'Frank Biden suffers from alcoholism and hasn't spoken to his brother in weeks,' the source told CBS. 'What he said ... is completely untrue.'

Mr Biden is also said to not have made his decision based on his health or age, despite showing signs of cognitive decline.

He was in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, battling COVID when he and his closest aides composed the letter announcing he would step aside.

Mr Biden's move throws the presidential race into chaos, but leaves time for Democrats to get their house in order before their August convention.

He will stay on as US president until the end of his term and has backed his deputy, Kamala Harris, to succeed him.