Biden Tests Positive for Covid, White House Confirms
President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19, experiencing mild symptoms, according to the White House. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden, who is 81 years old, is vaccinated and has received booster shots. This marks his third positive Covid test.
Earlier on Wednesday, Biden was seen engaging with supporters in Las Vegas and delivering a speech. However, he has since canceled a scheduled campaign event for the night. His illness comes amidst growing calls for him to step down due to his age.
Reports from US media indicate that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the leading Democrats in Congress, have privately expressed concerns to Biden about the potential negative impact of his candidacy on other Democratic races. Jean-Pierre stated that the president plans to isolate at his Delaware home while continuing to fulfill his presidential duties.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, reported that the president is exhibiting upper respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose and a cough. Biden has been administered his first dose of Paxlovid. He felt well during his initial event but tested positive later in the day, according to Dr. O’Connor.
Biden took to X/Twitter to express gratitude for the well wishes, stating he would continue to work for the American people during his recovery. In another tweet, he humorously commented, “I’m sick… of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election,” linking to a donations page.
Reporters traveling with Biden in Las Vegas were hurried to the airport following the announcement. Video footage shows Biden moving slowly up the steps to Air Force One without wearing a mask, stating, “Good, I feel good.”
The president had to cancel a speech at UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights organization, as calls for him to withdraw from the election race grow louder. Nearly two dozen Democratic politicians, including California Congressman Adam Schiff, have recently urged Biden to step aside. Schiff expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump and called for a new Democratic leader to emerge.
In private meetings with Biden, Schumer and Jeffries relayed concerns from fellow lawmakers about his impact on upcoming Congressional races, according to reports from ABC News, the Washington Post, and Politico. Despite these concerns, White House spokesman Andrew Bates stated that Biden remains committed to his candidacy and his 100-day agenda to support working families.
A spokesperson for Jeffries emphasized the private nature of their conversation, while Schumer’s office dismissed the reports as “idle speculation” but acknowledged that Schumer conveyed his caucus’s views to Biden.
In an upcoming interview with BET, Biden mentioned for the first time that he might consider exiting the race if advised by his doctors due to a medical condition. He also stated that he feels an obligation to lead in a divided country, making it challenging to pass the leadership torch at this time.
