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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Speculation is brewing after President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 only hours after he said he would consider dropping out of the race if diagnosed with a medical condition.
Biden canceled an appearance at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. He was scheduled to speak at the UnidosUS Annual Conference on Wednesday, drawing more than 1,500 Latino advocates in leaders in Nevada, a crucial swing state in the 2024 presidential race.
Biden's positive COVID-19 test comes only weeks after he gave a poor debate performance against former president Donald Trump in June. Biden's debate performance, during which he had a bad cold, has resulted in calls for the president to forfeit his campaign. U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, a prominent Democrat, is among Congressmembers asking Biden to resign from the campaign.
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Biden's campaign and many of his supporters including Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated that Biden was remaining in the race. However, earlier on Wednesday, Biden said he would consider dropping out of the race if his doctors said he had a medical condition in a preview clip for an interview between the president and Black Entertainment Television (BET) journalist Ed Gordon set to air on Wednesday night.
The timing of Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis has prompted speculation about the president's campaign plans.
"Wishing the President well and hope he has a speedy recovery from COVID. Given his age, he's in the high risk group. I hope those like Schiff who want him out aren't celebrating. Does this provide a medical 'out' for Biden?" ophthalmologist and research scientist Dr. Houman David Hemmati posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"BREAKING: Biden tests positive for COVID, AGAIN! His Scheduled events have been Reportedly Canceled QUICK!... Remdesivir and ventilator protocol...STAT!" Self-proclaimed watchdog account @MJTruthUltra posted. "This comes just AFTER he planted the narrative that a "medical condition" could prompt him to Drop Out... Is he on his way out? Is America ready for Kamala?"
"Biden tests positive for COVID and cancels all of this events. This comes after a major push by Adam Schiff to push him out of the race, an urge to delay the DNC by Schumer, and Biden saying he could consider dropping out of the race 'if a medical condition emerged.' Is COVID that medical condition?" Republican Liberty Caucus Secretary Jessico Bowman posted.
One post shared a video of Biden climbing the steps to board Air Force One.
"BREAKING. Joe Biden can barely WALK after testing positive for Covid. POTUS is now on Air Force One and on his way home to Delaware. This follows up on Biden stating he might DROP OUT if doctors told him he had a 'medical condition'," the account said.
It's fair to note in the video in reference, Biden doesn't stumble or rely on aids or assistance other than the handrail to walk up the steps to the plane. He ascends slowly, pausing a few times. Biden has posted multiple times about his positive COVID-19 test, including to his @POTUS and @JoeBiden accounts on X.
Under his @POTUS account, Biden said he was "feeling good" and that he would be isolating as he recovered.
His post to his @JoeBiden account summarized his diagnosis more succinctly.
"I'm sick," he said, but then immediately followed up the post with more information, indicating that he wasn't referring to his COVID diagnosis at all, adding, "of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election. And if you agree, pitch in here," he wrote with a link to his campaign donation site.
The White House said that Biden was experiencing "mild symptoms" and that he planned to recover at his home in Delaware.
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