Joe Biden releases statement refusing to stand down

US President insists he will be back on the campaign trail next week to ‘continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’, as calls grow for him to be replaced.

Josie Ensor

less than 2 min read

2:17PMJuly 20, 2024

Joe Biden clears his throat speaking this week in Las Vegas. He left the city on Wednesday to isolate in Delaware after catching Covid-19. Picture: Kent Nishimura / AFP

President Joe Biden said he would be “back on the campaign trail next week” amid calls for him to withdraw from the race to the White House.

The President, who is isolating with Covid-19 at his Delaware beach home, released a statement on Friday (Saturday AEST) saying he was “looking forward to” speaking with voters next week, adding: “Together, we will win.”

Earlier in the day his campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, insisted on MSNBC that Biden “absolutely” remains in the race and that the campaign sees “multiple paths” to beating Donald Trump.

Joe Biden plans to hit campaign trail despite pressure to bow out

The renewed resolve in Biden’s team emerged as Democrats said he faced a crucial weekend and family members were believed to have discussed his withdrawal from the race.

Sources told NBC that the President’s inner circle had a “carefully calculated” plan for him to step down on his terms.

Leading figures in the party have said Biden’s position has become untenable as donors abandon him and polls show he is behind Trump.

A Democratic governor told CNN: “The next 72 hours are big. This can’t go on. The walls are closing in.”

Biden’s campaign remained defiant on Friday, insisting he had a path to victory. O’Malley Dillon told MSNBC that Biden would return to the campaign trail next week after finishing Covid-19 isolation.

One party source said the “proud” President was being given the space to reach a decision on his future this weekend.

“He can be stubborn,” the insider told MSNBC. “If he’s going to do this, let him do it his way on his timeframe.”

Kamala Harris, the Vice-President, is believed to be receiving support in the party as the only credible alternative candidate able to raise the necessary funds.

The Times