President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, dealing a setback to his re-election campaign. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced that Biden, who is vaccinated and boosted, is experiencing mild symptoms such as a runny nose and a non-productive cough. Following his first event in Las Vegas, Biden tested positive and will return to Delaware to self-isolate while continuing to perform his duties remotely.
The diagnosis led to the cancellation of a scheduled speech at the UnidosUS Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Despite his illness, Biden assured reporters that he felt good as he boarded Air Force One without wearing a mask. His doctor, Kevin O’Connor, noted that while Biden felt okay for his first event of the day, his condition prompted COVID-19 testing.
President Biden tested positive for Covid on Wednesday, according to the White House. When reporters asked how he was feeling as he arrived at Air Force One to travel from Las Vegas to Delaware, Biden replied: “Good. I feel good.” https://t.co/HUZ05slNoz pic.twitter.com/aV7ZFC5qZo
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 18, 2024
This development comes amid ongoing concerns about Biden’s age and health, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly meeting Biden to discuss these issues. Despite these challenges, the White House maintains that Biden remains in good health, although he suffers from sleep apnea and a back condition.
The news follows Biden’s statement in a BET News interview, where he mentioned he would only drop out of the presidential race if a medical condition necessitated it. The COVID-19 diagnosis adds to the scrutiny of Biden’s fitness for office, highlighting the delicate balance between his health and political responsibilities.
