Biden fights COVID and calls to step aside
President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19. It comes as calls grow louder in his own party for him to withdraw from the presidential race.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19. It comes as calls grow louder in his own party for him to withdraw from the presidential race.
UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía broke the news to a Las Vegas crowd that Biden was set to speak to Wednesday night.
"He just tested positive for COVID," she said.
The White House confirmed the president has COVID and is experiencing "mild symptoms"
The President told reporters he feels good. He returned to Delaware Wednesday night, where he is isolating and the White House says "will continue to carry out all of his duties."
President Biden's doctor says he is still experiencing mild symptoms and is taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid.
The news comes as Republicans rally behind their candidate, former President Donald Trump.
While some top Democrats, including California Congressman Adam Schiff, publicly say the president should "pass the torch."
Privately, former President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have reportedly expressed concerns to President Biden about his ability to win.
A spokesperson for the former speaker has dismissed those reports, writing in a statement:
"Speaker Pelosi respects the confidentiality of her meetings and conversations with the President of the United States. Sadly, the feeding frenzy from the press based on anonymous sources misrepresents any conversations the Speaker may have had with the President."
Host of the Hill Sunday Chris Stirewalt said the walls have closed in on the president.
"What Democrats have told the president, is basically, this is what we're saying privately, don't make us say it publicly," Stirewalt.
But California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla says COVID won't slow the president down, and neither will calls to quit.
"He's committed to the campaign. He's committed to winning in November," Padilla said.
While the president is sidelined, Vice President Kamala Harris is on the campaign trail.
"Good afternoon, North Carolina," she greeted a crowd in Fayetteville Thursday.