Despite mounting calls from Democrats, President Biden has remained defiant in his bid for re-election, as speculation continues about his potential withdrawal.
President Biden has faced mounting pressure to end his re-election bid from within his own party, with 36 Democrats publicly calling for him to drop out of the race. The calls have come following a disastrous debate performance and concerns about his mental fitness.
Despite the pressure, Biden has remained determined to stay in the race. His campaign has hit back against anonymous sources and speculation, suggesting a pressure campaign to force his hand.
Biden's Presidential Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure to End
"There are a lot of anonymous sources out there this week telling y'all what is and isn't happening on Team Biden-Harris. I’m here – on the record (!) – to give you an overview of what actually happened, what’s to come, and a few thoughts on the very bad things coming out of the Republican National Convention," Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Muonoz said in a press release last week.
Newsmax's Mark Halperin reported that unnamed Democratic sources informed him that Biden would drop out as soon as this weekend and not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
Biden's Presidential Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure to End
Axios also speculated the president would drop out this weekend, with unnamed Biden aides allegedly saying the president was warming up to the idea.
The Biden campaign, however, has denied the speculation and calls for the president to drop out. Deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks called the reports "false" and emphasized Biden's determination to win the race.
Biden's Presidential Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure to End
"It is false. And I think that it is false to continue to try to gin up this narrative. Joe Biden has said he is in this race," Fulks said. "He is in this race to win it."
Biden is currently self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. Despite his diagnosis, he has continued to hold campaign events and meetings, along with his official duties as president.
Biden's Presidential Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure to End
However, traditional allies have continued to release statements calling on him to drop out. California Rep. Adam Schiff said it was time for Biden to "pass the torch" and "allow us to defeat Donald Trump."
Despite speculation, the New York Times reported that Biden would not drop out ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nentanyahu's visit to the nation's capital this week.
Biden's Presidential Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure to End
The president also has a fundraiser scheduled with former late-night host David Letterman on July 29 in Hawaii and has received support from Squad members to remain in the race.
"There have been lots of Democrats who have been giving little anonymous quotes to the press, to some journalist to print, and I'm not here to knock the press on it," said Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "I'm here to knock my colleagues on it."
Biden's Presidential Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure to End
The chair of the Democratic National Committee, Jamie Harrison, has also not called for Biden to withdraw from the race. The DNC Rules Committee voted Friday to formally nominate Biden in a virtual roll call on Aug. 7, giving Democrats two weeks to rally support for Biden or for him to drop out.
The speculation surrounding Biden's potential withdrawal comes as former President Trump was officially nominated as the Republican Party's choice for president. Trump announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate and accepted the nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Biden's Presidential Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure to End
