In a dramatic turn of events, President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on July 17, 2024, forcing him to cancel a campaign event in Las Vegas and potentially sidelining him for days following the conclusion of former President Donald J. Trump’s nominating convention on Thursday. The illness, which the president’s doctor said had produced only mild symptoms so far, was diagnosed even as the Democratic revolt over his candidacy got louder, with more of Mr. Biden’s allies and supporters calling on him to drop out of the race, citing concerns about his ability to defeat Mr. Trump.
President Biden said that he felt “good” after having tested positive for Covid. “How are you feeling?” “Mr. President, how do you feel?” “How do you feel?” “Good, I feel good.” “Do you have symptoms?” “Good, I feel good.”
However, using this as an opportunity to make a political statement against Elon Musk and Donald Trump, Biden also used his positive COVID-19 diagnosis to take a dig at Elon Musk and Republican opponent Donald Trump on Wednesday. He posted on social media: “I’m sick of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election. And if you agree, pitch in here.” That post included photos of Musk and Trump, along with a link to a donation site for the Biden campaign. Musk endorsed Trump for the 2024 presidential election in a post on social media platform X on Saturday, after a gunman opened fire on the former President at a rally in Pennsylvania. Musk reportedly said that he will give about $45 million a month to a pro-Trump political group, according to The Wall Street Journal. However, he later took to X to reply to The Journal’s story, posting a meme with the caption “FAKE GNUS.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed earlier Wednesday evening that the President tested positive for the virus that day after an event in Las Vegas. Biden was supposed to speak at the UnidosUS conference Wednesday night, but Jean-Pierre said the President would return to his home state of Delaware to self-isolate and continue his duties. The President is vaccinated and boosted, she added.
Before he left Las Vegas, Biden told reporters, “I feel good” and could be seen boarding Air Force One without a mask. He last tested positive for COVID-19 in 2022.
In addition to the health concerns surrounding President Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis, there are also concerns about his ability to continue campaigning and answer his critics while dealing with the illness. If Mr. Biden continues to test positive for the next week or more, it could keep him off the campaign trail. And if he continues to have congestion and a cough, as his doctor reported on Wednesday, it could hamper his ability to perform well in any interviews that his campaign could schedule from his home.
Despite these challenges, President Biden remains committed to continuing his duties fully while self-isolating in Delaware. He has also provided regular updates on his status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.
In conclusion, President Joe Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis has forced him to cancel a campaign event in Las Vegas and potentially sidelined him for days following the conclusion of former President Donald J. Trump’s nominating convention on Thursday. The illness has also provided an opportunity for Biden to make a political statement against Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Despite concerns about his health and ability to continue campaigning, President Biden remains committed to continuing his duties fully while self-isolating in Delaware.
Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/17/us/politics/biden-covid-positive.html, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-tests-positive-covid-what-we-know-diagnosis-treatment/, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/us/politics/biden-covid
Nancy Pelosi privately expressed concerns that Biden was putting Democrats’ control of the House in danger.
