After his sudden disappearance from public view after announcing a positive COVID-19 test on July 17th, Joe Biden made his first public appearance on Tuesday. The White House initially stated that his absence was due to his health condition, but failed to address the growing rumors of an undisclosed medical emergency that could have led to his withdrawal from the presidential race.
Biden was observed slowly, cautiously making his way up the stairs of Air Force One, ignoring reporters’ inquiries about his Vice President, Kamala Harris’s capabilities and chances against former President Donald Trump. After the slow, painful ascent, Biden turned and gave a salute.
WATCH:
Biden finally crawled out of the basement and was spotted in public.
Why was he hiding for so long?
pic.twitter.com/CnntcLC6On— Jack (@jackunheard) July 23, 2024
Amidst his last-ditch campaign blitz last week, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while in Las Vegas. Following the diagnosis, he began isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home. On Tuesday, the president tested negative for the virus, paving the way for his return to the White House. His physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, confirmed Biden’s negative status through a Binax rapid antigen test.
“The President’s symptoms have resolved. Over the course of his infection, he never manifested a fever, and his vital signs remained normal, to include pulse oximetry. His lungs remained clear,” O’Connor wrote. “BINAX rapid antigen testing is negative. He will continue to be monitored for any recurrence of illness. The President continues to perform all of his presidential duties. As always, I will continue to keep your office updated with any changes in his condition or treatment plan.”
Biden reportedly delayed his announcement that he would end his reelection campaign over concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris’s ability to defeat the GOP nominee, former President Donald Trump, especially since she has consistently polled even worse than he has, especially over the past year.
Three Biden aides who spoke with Axios said that the 81-year-old president who is in obvious mental decline ultimately made the decision he made, “but his private anxieties reflect broader questions among some Democratic leaders about Harris as their nominee this November,” the outlet reported, adding: “This next week will be critical for Harris, 59, to prove doubters wrong as she moves quickly to try to clear the field of potential challengers for the Democratic nomination.”
Harris has already picked up Biden’s endorsement as well as other leading Democratic figures including former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and others. But other reports say she isn’t really inspiring much confidence among elected Democrats and at least some of the party’s donors. And notably, former President Barack Obama did not endorse Harris, saying: We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead, But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
Axios pointed out several problems with Harris if she becomes the party’s nominee:
- Much of Harris’ staff has turned over in the past 3½ years.
- About half of the vice president’s staff is paid by the Senate, which requires regular disclosures. Of the 47 Harris staffers listed in 2021, only five still worked for her as of this spring, according to the disclosures. Her full staff list is not publicly disclosed.
- During Obama’s first term, then-Vice President Biden had far more staff stability, as 17 of 38 of his aides stayed with him over a similar period, according to the disclosures for staff paid by the Senate.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.