President Joe Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19 Amid Mounting Pressure to Step Down

U.S. President Joe Biden, facing internal pressure to bow out of his re-election bid, has tested positive for COVID-19 while on a campaign trip to Las Vegas. The news was confirmed by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre after Biden canceled a speaking engagement for the diagnosis.

The 81-year-old Democrat, vaccinated and with booster shots, is reportedly experiencing mild symptoms. Biden, soon after the announcement, boarded a plane to Delaware for self-isolation, stating, ‘Good, I feel good,’ to reporters before departure.

Minutes following the revelation, Biden’s motorcade was swiftly en route to Las Vegas airport after completing a radio interview in the city. The unexpected diagnosis came after Biden greeted a group at a Mexican restaurant before heading for the interview. When late for a UnidosUS event, the president’s positive COVID-19 status was disclosed by the organizer, curtailing his public appearance time.

Amid mounting concerns about his age and capacity to continue in office, Biden has faced recent calls from prominent Democrats such as Adam Schiff and Chuck Schumer to consider stepping down. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that 40% of Democratic voters believe Biden should abandon his re-election bid.

The White House announced that Biden, suffering from upper respiratory symptoms earlier, received a positive result from a point-of-care COVID-19 test. The president will follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines, self-isolating in Delaware. Biden’s doctor has prescribed an initial dose of Paxlovid to address his mild symptoms.