US President Joe Biden, who’s been making the rounds for his re-election campaign, has hit an unexpected speed bump: COVID-19.
The 81-year-old president tested positive for the virus while on a trip to Las Vegas on 17 July. The White House assures us it’s just mild symptoms, but it is still enough to have him cancel a planned speech and head back to Delaware to self-isolate.
Here’s what went down and what it means for Biden’s already tumultuous campaign.
It started like any other campaign day for Biden in Vegas. He visited supporters, shook hands, and even made an appearance at a colourful Mexican restaurant, filled with vibrant art and “Biden-Harris” posters
All seemed well until the president, but he had been feeling a bit off with a runny nose and cough.
Even if we are way past the pandemic, we are all too familiar with the drill and tell-tale signs; Biden tested positive for COVID-19.
His physician, Kevin O’Connor, quickly prescribed Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, to help speed up his recovery.
Despite the circumstances, Biden still gave reporters a thumbs-up and said he felt “good” before boarding Air Force One.
However, his symptoms were enough to force a change in plans. Instead of addressing the UnidosUS event, a crucial stop to rally Latino voters, Biden had to fly back to Delaware to rest and recover.
This COVID-19 diagnosis couldn’t have come at a worse time for Biden. The president has been under pressure from fellow Democrats who worry about his age and ability to campaign effectively.
At the age of 81, Biden is already the oldest sitting president in US history, and there’s been growing chatter about whether he should hand the torch over to a younger candidate.
A recent poll showed that 58% of Democratic voters think Biden is too old for another term. Independent voters are even more critical, with 70% sharing that view.
The pressure on Biden to step aside did not just come from within his party, though.
It was reported that Democratic leaders like Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries have conveyed to Biden that his candidacy might hurt the party’s chances in Congress (Ouch, that’s harsh…).
Even former House speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly told Biden he might not win and could negatively impact the Democrats’ overall success.
The concern over the president’s health has become even more aggravated after a shaky debate performance against Donald Trump, which Biden blamed on a cold and jet lag.
Despite all these, Biden’s spokesperson Andrew Bates insists that the president is focused on his 100-day agenda to support working families.
Biden himself remains determined to stay in the race unless a serious medical condition forces him to reconsider.
This is not the first time Biden has been struck with COVID-19, as he also tested positive for COVID-19 and managed to bounce back.
Despite these challenges, Biden remains committed to his re-election bid. He took to social media, thanking everyone for their well wishes and promising to continue working hard for the American people, even while in isolation.
“I will be isolating as I recover, but during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people,” he wrote on Facebook.
His campaign team could not resist posting a cheeky post on X: “I’m sick… of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election.”
But Biden’s illness adds to an already pretty chaotic campaign season.
Just recently, there was an attempted assassination on his rival, Trump, adding to the drama of the race. And now, with Biden sidelined by COVID-19, it remains to be seen how his team navigates these turbulent times.
