The White House says Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms.
His press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the US president has been vaccinated and boosted. He had previously tested positive for the coronavirus twice.
Biden, 81, visited supporters in Las Vegas earlier Wednesday and spoke at the event. He canceled a campaign speech later that evening.
At the time of his illness, he faced increasing pressure to resign because of his age.
US media reported that the two Democratic leaders in the US Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, met privately with Biden and expressed deep concerns that his candidacy may affect Other races for the House and Senate had a negative impact.
Ms. Jean-Pierre said the president planned to quarantine at his home in Delaware and “fully discharge all his responsibilities during this period.”
The president’s physician, Kevin O’Connor, said Biden developed upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and cough, and received his first dose of Paxlovid.
Dr. O’Connor said he felt fine during the first game of the day but later tested positive.
Biden later used X/Twitter to thank everyone for their “well wishes” and said he would “try to get the job done for the American people” during his recovery.
In another tweet, his account said: “I’m sick,” before replying: “…Elon Musk and his wealthy pals are trying to buy this election. If you agree, please participate here.”
The tweet directed to a donation portal.
Journalists traveling to Las Vegas said they were rushed to the city’s airport after the news was announced.
The video shows Biden slowly and cautiously walking up the steps to the plane. He was not wearing a mask.
As he boarded Air Force One, he was heard saying: “Good, I feel good.”
The president was forced to cancel a speech at UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights group.
Biden’s illness comes as he faces growing calls to withdraw from the race.
Nearly two dozen Democratic politicians have called on him to step down in recent weeks, including Adam Schiff, California Congressman,he said today that he has serious doubts about whether the president can defeat former President Trump.
He called on Mr Biden to “pass the torch”.
Schiff said Biden “is one of the most important presidents in our country’s history” and that he can “secure his leadership” by allowing another Democrat to step up.
Schumer and Jeffries, the two top Democratic leaders in Congress, have reportedly met privately with Biden in recent days and expressed concerns from other lawmakers that his top spot in the November election could hurt their chances of controlling both chambers of Congress. .
White House spokesman Andrew Bates said after the report: “The president told both leaders that he is the party’s nominee, that he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to help working people through his 100-day agenda. family.
A spokesperson for Jeffries said, “This is a private conversation and will remain confidential.” Schumer’s office called the report “unfounded speculation,” but added that the Democratic leader “conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden.”
In an interview with BET set to air Wednesday night, Biden said he didn’t think he could inherit the role with the country so “divided.”
The president also said for the first time that he would consider dropping out of the race if his doctor said he had a “medical condition.”
