Biden Says He Would Reevaluate Presidential Bid If Serious Medical Condition Emerged

U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview released Wednesday that he would reassess his decision to remain in the presidential race if a doctor informed him of a medical condition that necessitated withdrawal. The 81-year-old Democrat tested positive for Covid with mild symptoms shortly after his remarks were made public.

Biden gave reporters the thumbs up and said “I feel good” as he cut short a campaign trip to Las Vegas and flew to his beach home in Delaware to go into isolation, The New York Times reported. Biden has repeatedly said that no doctor has diagnosed him with a serious medical condition. After a physical examination in February, White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor described Biden as “a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male.”

After testing positive for covid, Biden thanked well-wishers on X, adding “I will be isolating as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people.” The infection comes at a critical moment for Biden’s campaign, after a disastrous debate performance against rival Donald Trump sparked concerns about his health and calls from some Democrats for him to step aside It is also the latest development in a tumultuous few days in an already frenetic White House race that saw his Republican Trump survive an assassination attempt at a campaign rally of his own.

Biden was forced to cancel a speech to a union representing Latino workers who will be crucial for his election bid, having attended a campaign event earlier in the day and given a radio interview. His spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden was vaccinated and boosted, was now taking the Covid medication Paxlovid and “continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.” The White House doctor said Biden had complained of suffering from a runny nose, a cough and “general malaise,” and after attending the campaign event he tested positive.

“His symptoms remain mild,” O’Connor said, adding that Biden’s respiratory rate, temperature and blood oxygen levels all remained normal. Biden was seen walking from his limousine to his plane at Las Vegas without a mask. “Good,” he said when asked how he felt, “I feel good.” Janet Murguia, the president of the Unidos union for Latino workers, told the crowd about the diagnosis shortly before the White House announcement. “I was just on the phone with President Biden, and he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon,” she said.

Biden has so far refused to drop out, and blamed his debate debacle, when he appeared tired and confused, on a bad cold and jet lag. But he suffered a major blow on Wednesday when the most high-profile Democrat so far, Representative Adam Schiff of California, urged Biden to “pass the torch.” US broadcaster ABC News then reported that Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had told Biden it would be “better for the country if he were to bow out.” However, a spokesperson for Schumer played down the report.

(With agency inputs)