Beleaguered U.S. President Joe Biden, facing calls from within his party to reconsider his re-election bid, tested positive for COVID-19 during a visit to Las Vegas on Wednesday and is now in self-isolation while experiencing mild symptoms, according to the White House.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced the positive test for the 81-year-old president after he canceled a scheduled speech due to the diagnosis. Jean-Pierre stated, “He is vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms.”
As Biden boarded Air Force One to return to Delaware to recover, he reassured reporters, “Good, I feel good,” though he ascended the stairs slowly, gripping the railing and pausing a few times.
Biden’s illness coincides with a critical period in his presidency, as he faces declining support in key states against Republican contender Donald Trump, who is leading a celebratory convention following his survival of an assassination attempt on Saturday.
The White House indicated that Biden planned to spend an extended weekend at his beach house in Delaware, but it remains uncertain how long his illness will keep him off the campaign trail.
Shortly after the announcement, Biden’s motorcade was seen heading to the Las Vegas airport following a taped radio interview.
Before the interview, Biden had interacted with several individuals at a Mexican restaurant and was on his way to deliver a speech to UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights group, when organizer Janet Murguia informed attendees of his positive COVID-19 test.
The news was met with groans in the conference room. Murguia conveyed Biden’s message: “He said to tell my folks that we’re not going to get rid of him that quickly, we’re going to have a chance to hear from him in the future directly.”
Biden’s campaign stop in Las Vegas comes amid internal party tensions, with some Democrats concerned about his age and pushing for a different candidate in the next election.
Despite these calls, Biden has remained resolute, stating in an interview that only the “Lord Almighty” could convince him to withdraw. Jean-Pierre confirmed, “He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Biden faced further challenges when Adam Schiff, a prominent Democratic representative from California, publicly suggested it was time for Biden to “pass the torch” to a new leader.
Late Wednesday, CNN reported that Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi privately told Biden he cannot defeat former President Donald Trump and could sink the Democrats’ chances in Congress as well.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 40% of Democratic registered voters believe Biden should not seek re-election, with 65% of independent voters agreeing.
Additionally, 58% of Democratic voters and 70% of independent voters feel Biden is too old to hold office.
The White House disclosed that Biden had been experiencing upper respiratory symptoms earlier in the day. According to his doctor, Biden felt well enough to attend his first event but underwent a COVID-19 test after his condition did not improve, resulting in a positive diagnosis.
He will be self-isolating in line with Centres for Disease Control guidelines and has been prescribed Paxlovid to manage his symptoms.
Biden’s current illness is his second bout with COVID-19, having previously tested positive in July 2022. He initially recovered within a week but experienced a rebound case before being cleared in early August of that year.
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