Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms, according to the White House. His press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, confirmed that the US president, aged 81, had been vaccinated and received a booster. This marks Biden’s third Covid-19 diagnosis, having previously tested positive twice.
Earlier on Wednesday, Biden was observed meeting supporters in Las Vegas and delivering a speech at an event. However, he later canceled a campaign speech scheduled for that night.
The development comes amid growing pressure on Biden to consider stepping aside due to his age. Reports from US media indicate that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Majority Leader Hakeem Jefferies separately expressed concerns during private meetings with Biden, fearing his candidacy could adversely affect other House and Senate races.
Jean-Pierre stated that Biden intends to isolate at his home in Delaware while continuing to fulfill all presidential responsibilities. Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, reported that the president has shown symptoms such as a runny nose and cough. Biden received his first dose of Paxlovid and felt well during his initial event of the day, but tested positive later on, according to Dr. O’Connor.
Biden later used X/Twitter to thank everyone for “the well wishes” and said he would “work to get the job done for the American people” while in recovery.
In another tweet his account stated “I’m sick” before replying back “… of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election. And if you agree, pitch in here”.
The tweet pointed to a donations portal.
Earlier on Wednesday, reporters on the Las Vegas trip said they had been rushed off the site of a campaign stop at a Mexican restaurant to the city’s airport following the announcement.
The restaurant was ablaze with colour, with Mexican art and guitars hanging from the walls and banners draped from the ceiling. One wall was adorned with “Biden-Harris” posters.
As ceiling fans swirled on low speed and Latino pop played quietly from the speakers, Biden walked in via the kitchen door, which was flanked by a Secret Service detail, and entered a main dining area.
He shook hands with diners (who had clearly been prepared some time in advance for his arrival), kissed one and had selfies taken with others.
The president seemed somewhat stiffer and appeared slower than the day before, when he had given an energised performance in a speech to a national civil rights group.
Biden had to cancel a speech at UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights organization. The president has been working to regain support among Hispanic voters, whose backing has decreased since 2020. Later that Wednesday, he was observed moving slowly and carefully up the steps to the plane without wearing a mask.
As he boarded Air Force One, Biden was overheard saying, “Good, I feel good.” This unexpected illness abruptly halted a trip intended to see Biden energetically return to the campaign trail after the pause caused by an attempt on his rival Donald Trump’s life.
Biden’s re-election efforts were already facing challenges due to internal dissent among Democrats in Congress following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump last month. Now, his campaign faces even more uncertainty as Air Force One travels through turbulent political waters over Nevada.
Calls for Biden to withdraw from the election race are intensifying amid this chaotic and unpredictable campaign season.
Nearly two dozen Democratic politicians have called for him to step aside in recent weeks, including Adam Schiff, a congressman from California, who said he had serious doubts about whether the president could beat former Trump.
He called on Biden to “pass the torch”.
Schiff said Biden “has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history”, and he could “secure his legacy of leadership” by allowing another Democrat to step forward.
Schumer and Jeffries – Congress’ top two Democrats – met Biden privately in recent days and expressed concerns among fellow lawmakers that his presence at the top of the November election ticket could hurt their chances for controlling either chamber in Congress, according to reports from ABC News, the Washington Post and Politico.
“The president told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said after the reports.
A spokesman for Jeffries said, “it was a private conversation that will remain private”. Schumer’s office called the reporting “idle speculation” but added the Democratic leader “conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden”.
In an interview with BET, Biden said he did not feel he could pass the mantle with the country so “divided”.
The president also said, for the first time, that he would consider dropping out of the race if any of his doctors said he had a “medical condition”.
