Washington, D.C., United States | By Michael Wandati | President Joe Biden is facing renewed scrutiny over his candidacy for the November election as campaign events are halted due to his COVID-19 infection.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries separately met with Biden, expressing concerns about his White House bid.
Nancy Pelosi, former House Speaker, privately conveyed doubts to Biden’s ability to defeat Donald Trump in November, reported CNN.
Biden’s re-election efforts were already under strain following a contentious debate performance against Trump last month.
Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced his Covid-19 infection, noting the 81-year-old was experiencing mild symptoms. He will isolate at his Delaware home while continuing his duties. Biden, vaccinated and boosted, previously tested positive for Covid-19 twice.
“He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms,” Jean-Pierre said. “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. The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.”
Earlier, Biden engaged with supporters in Las Vegas but canceled a UnidosUS speech later that day. The abrupt pause follows an interruption from an attempted assassination of rival Donald Trump by a 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, delaying Biden’s campaign revival.
In Las Vegas, Biden aimed to bolster support among Hispanic voters, whose favorability has waned since 2020. Boarding Air Force One later that day, Biden, unmasked, cautiously ascended the stairs, expressing, “Good, I feel good.”
Amid mounting calls for Biden to withdraw from the Presidential race, Schumer and Jeffries raised concerns about his impact on Democratic control of Congress during recent private meetings.
Both Joe Biden, 82, and Donald Trump, 78, have had Covid. Biden last tested positive in 2022. Trump tested positive in 2020.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates emphasized Biden’s commitment to winning and collaborating on his agenda for working families.
Jeffries’ spokesman affirmed the confidentiality of their discussion, while Schumer’s office dismissed the reports as speculative but confirmed conveying caucus sentiments to Biden.
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CNN reported Pelosi warned Biden of polling indicating potential harm to Democratic House prospects.
Biden rebutted, prompting Pelosi to seek counsel from his longtime advisor on critical data. Approximately two dozen Democratic figures, including Congressman Adam Schiff, publicly urged Biden to step aside and pass leadership to another Democrat.
Schiff acknowledged Biden’s consequential presidency and proposed securing his legacy through a successor. In a BET interview, Biden acknowledged national division and expressed reluctance to relinquish leadership.
For the first time, Biden indicated readiness to exit the race under medical advisement.
