In a recent twist on the campaign trail, President Joe Biden returned to Delaware on Wednesday night after testing positive for COVID-19 while in Las Vegas.
The 81-year-old president, who has faced increasing scrutiny over age-related concerns, disembarked from Air Force One very slowly, pausing several times before putting on a mask inside his SUV for the trip to Rehoboth Beach.
Behind closed doors, three high-profile Congressional Democrats have reportedly given Biden a similar piece of advice: it’s time to step aside.
Late Wednesday, CNN revealed that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately told Biden he might not be able to beat former President Donald Trump and could potentially harm the Democrats’ chances in Congress.
This follows reports from the Ruthless podcast and ABC News that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had a private meeting with Biden in Rehoboth over the weekend, advising him to withdraw from the race.
ABC also noted that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries conveyed a similar message when they met last week.
Details of these private conversations have been kept under wraps.
Jeffries had sent a letter to his colleagues about the meeting but chose not to reveal specifics. A spokesperson for Jeffries confirmed that the letter “speaks for itself” and that the conversation would remain private.
However, Representative Adam Schiff was less discreet.
According to The New York Times, Schiff told Democratic donors in the Hamptons on Saturday—prior to an assassination attempt on Trump—that Biden’s unpopularity could jeopardize the party’s chances in Congress. Schiff later publicly expressed his belief that it’s time for Biden to pass the torch to secure a win against Trump.
While Biden has publicly insisted that he is determined to stay in the race, CNN reported that he’s privately become more open to the idea of stepping down.
The president has been asking advisors whether Vice President Kamala Harris could win if he were to withdraw.
He’ll have some time to make a final decision. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) initially planned a virtual nomination for Biden in late July due to Ohio’s early ballot deadline.
However, the nomination process has been pushed to early August in response to concerns about Biden’s position on the ticket.
Isolation and Health Update
In the meantime, Biden will be isolating at his Rehoboth Beach home due to his COVID-19 diagnosis. Earlier this week, he mentioned he would only drop out if doctors advised it due to a significant medical issue.
Despite this, his public stance has been clear that only a major health issue could force him out of the 2024 race.
On Wednesday, Biden tested positive after developing a runny nose and cough.
He boarded Air Force One using the shorter set of stairs and gave a thumbs up from his limousine before departure, insisting he felt fine.
The White House physician confirmed Biden’s symptoms were mild and that he was receiving Paxlovid treatment.
A Familiar Scenario
This marks Biden’s third bout with COVID-19.
His first positive test was on July 21, 2022, followed by a rebound case nine days later. During his previous infections, Biden kept his supporters updated through emails, reassuring them of his commitment despite his health issues.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden would continue to perform his duties while in isolation.
His doctor confirmed Biden’s symptoms were mild and consistent with upper respiratory issues, and his temperature remained normal.
As Biden navigates his current health situation and political future, all eyes will be on whether he chooses to continue his campaign or heed the growing calls for him to step aside.
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