US President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid on Wednesday, exhibiting mild symptoms, shortly after admitting he might reconsider his reelection campaign if faced with a severe medical diagnosis. The 81-year-old Democrat reassured reporters with a thumbs-up and a declaration of feeling good, as he curtailed his visit to Las Vegas, heading instead to his Delaware beach home for isolation, which would sideline him from the campaign trail for several days.
Biden expressed gratitude to those who wished him well on X, stating, "I will be isolating as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people." This health setback occurs at a pivotal time for Biden's campaign, as he strives to demonstrate his fitness for office following a notably poor debate performance against Donald Trump, which raised health concerns and prompted some Democrats to urge him to withdraw.
This recent event adds to the already chaotic developments in the White House race, which included Trump narrowly escaping an assassination attempt at a campaign rally. Biden had to cancel a planned speech to a union of Latino workers, crucial to his electoral strategy, after attending a campaign event and giving a radio interview earlier in the day. His spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, confirmed that Biden was vaccinated and boosted, is currently taking the Covid medication Paxlovid, and continues to fulfill his presidential duties while in isolation.
White House physician Kevin O'Connor reported that Biden had experienced a runny nose, a cough, and general malaise, and tested positive after the campaign event. O'Connor noted that Biden's symptoms remain mild, with normal respiratory rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels. Despite the diagnosis, Biden was seen boarding his plane in Las Vegas without a mask, responding to a query about his health with a confident, "Good, I feel good."
Janet Murguia, president of the Unidos union for Latino workers, informed the crowd about Biden's diagnosis just before the official White House announcement. Those awaiting his speech expressed confidence in his recovery, with Anne Vilagut stating, "I think he's strong and he's going to recover soon." However, concerns about the health of the oldest US president in history are intensifying.
In an interview with Black media outlet BET, Biden mentioned that a significant medical issue could lead him to reconsider his presidential run. He has thus far resisted calls to step down, attributing his lackluster debate performance to a bad cold and jet lag. However, reports from US broadcaster ABC News suggest that Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer advised Biden over the weekend that it would be better for the country if he withdrew, a sentiment echoed by other party leaders who fear his candidacy jeopardizes the party's electoral chances.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates refuted these claims, stating that Biden is committed to his campaign and looks forward to working with party leaders to advance his agenda. Earlier on Wednesday, Representative Adam Schiff of California became the most prominent Democrat to publicly call for Biden to pass the torch, expressing grave concerns about the president's ability to defeat Donald Trump in November.
Biden maintains that Democratic voters support him, but a poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that nearly two-thirds of respondents want him to step aside.
