President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19, forcing him to cancel a campaign event and return to Delaware for self-isolation. The news comes at a challenging time for Biden’s re-election campaign, as he faces mounting pressure and calls to step down as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Biden tests positive for Covid-19, canceling a scheduled appearance at the UnidosUS annual conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday afternoon. The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, confirmed the diagnosis in a statement, noting that the President is experiencing mild symptoms and will continue to carry out his duties while in isolation.
The announcement came just before Biden was set to address the conference, with Janet Murguía, the organization’s president and chief executive, informing attendees of the last-minute cancellation. The timing of this health setback is particularly significant, given the recent pressures on Biden’s campaign.
According to the White House, Biden developed symptoms earlier in the day, following his first event in Las Vegas. He is fully vaccinated and boosted, which likely contributes to the mild nature of his symptoms. The President’s physician released a note detailing Biden’s condition, mentioning a runny nose, a non-productive cough, and “general malaise.”
As part of his treatment, Biden has been prescribed Paxlovid, an antiviral medication used to combat Covid-19. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth, Delaware, in accordance with CDC guidelines for symptomatic individuals. The White House has committed to providing regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to perform his official duties from isolation.
This health incident occurs against the backdrop of increasing pressure on Biden’s re-election campaign. The President has faced criticism regarding his age and perceived slips in acuity, most notably following a poorly received debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month. These concerns have led to calls from within the Democratic Party for Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
In a significant development, California congressman and Senate candidate Adam Schiff became the most high-profile Democratic representative to call for Biden to end his campaign. This was followed by a report from ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, suggesting that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, typically a strong ally of the President, had advised Biden to withdraw from the race during a conversation on Saturday.
The authenticity of the report regarding Schumer’s advice has been questioned, with some sources describing it as “idle speculation.” Nonetheless, these developments underscore the growing unease within the Democratic Party about Biden’s prospects for re-election.
Despite these challenges, the White House maintains that Biden will continue to fulfill his presidential duties during his isolation period. Jean-Pierre’s statement emphasized that the President would “continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.”
Before departing Las Vegas, Biden was observed walking slowly up the steps of Air Force One, telling reporters that he felt good despite his diagnosis. This visual, coupled with his Covid-19 diagnosis, may further fuel discussions about his physical fitness for office.
The cancellation of Biden’s appearance at the UnidosUS conference is particularly noteworthy given the importance of the Latino vote in the upcoming election. UnidosUS is the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, and Biden’s inability to address this group could be seen as a missed opportunity to connect with a crucial demographic. As the 2024 presidential race continues to heat up, Biden’s health and ability to campaign effectively will likely remain under scrutiny. His team will need to navigate this period carefully, balancing the need for transparency about the President’s condition with efforts to maintain confidence in his leadership and campaign viability.
The coming days will be critical as the White House provides updates on Biden’s health and his ability to perform his duties from isolation. How quickly he recovers and returns to the campaign trail could have significant implications for public perception and his re-election efforts. This incident also serves as a reminder that Covid-19 continues to impact daily life and political processes, even as many have moved on from pandemic-era precautions. It underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and adherence to health protocols, particularly for public figures who interact with large numbers of people.
As Biden begins his period of isolation and treatment, the political world will be watching closely. The President’s ability to bounce back quickly from this setback could be crucial in reassuring supporters and silencing critics who question his fitness for another term in office. Meanwhile, his team will need to adapt campaign strategies to maintain momentum during his absence from in-person events. In the broader context of the 2024 election, this development adds another layer of uncertainty to an already complex political landscape. How Biden and his team handle this challenge could have lasting implications for the Democratic Party’s prospects and the overall trajectory of the presidential race.
