As President Joe Biden enters his fifth consecutive day out of the public eye due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, online speculation about his health condition has intensified. The President was last seen in public on July 17 after arriving at a US air base in Dover, Delaware, following a positive COVID-19 test while campaigning in Las Vegas earlier that day.
Republic reports that an X handle, Global Press Corp, claimed to have information from "a verified source" suggesting that "Joe Biden is currently in hospice care and is unlikely to survive the night." The same account also shared what appeared to be a White House press release stating that all of President Biden's Monday meetings had been abruptly canceled, with tentative removals of all meetings for the week.
While Biden's public schedule for the week remains clear as he recovers from the virus, he indicated in a letter on Sunday that he planned to address the nation this week regarding his decision to end his candidacy. According to a White House insider, President Biden has canceled nine scheduled trips for the next two weeks. The President was set to visit several key locations, including California, Denver, Houston, and Austin, but these stops have now been removed from his itinerary in light of the major change in plans.
Earlier today the White House abruptly cancelled all of President Biden's Monday meetings, and had tentatively removed all meetings for the week. pic.twitter.com/kcUL8qqqtt
— Global Press (@GlobalPressCorp) July 23, 2024
CIA contractor Tony Seruga wrote on X, "All indications from multiple insiders is that Joe Biden is expected to resign due to his rapidly failing health. I'm told he is alive, awake, semi-alert, and oriented times one to four, depending on the time. He is not in hospice care, according to my medical source, who has firsthand knowledge. Joe Biden has fallen at least five times since Wednesday and is not to get out of bed without assistance. They are giving him fluids as he is dehydrated."
However, these claims contrast sharply with official statements from the White House. Biden's physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, reported on Monday that the President had completed his 10th dose of the COVID-fighting medication Paxlovid and continued to perform all of his presidential duties.
"His symptoms have almost resolved completely. His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature remain absolutely normal," Dr. O'Connor wrote in his statement. "His oxygen saturation continues to be excellent on room air. His lungs remain clear."
The White House has maintained that Biden remains engaged in his duties, albeit remotely. He is set to return to the White House on Tuesday. "I'm still going to be fully engaged," Biden told campaign staffers during a Monday call from his Delaware beach home, where he is recovering from COVID-19. The president emphasized his commitment to remaining active in his role despite entering the twilight of his term.
Biden is determined to make the most of his final six months in office, pushing to accomplish key goals despite the challenges typically faced by lame-duck presidents. As reported by The Associated Press, Biden hopes to leverage the billions in federal funding from his early legislative victories to cement his legacy, while also pursuing diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East.
At the White House, Chief of Staff Jeff Zients has urged staff to focus on the administration's priorities, including lowering housing and healthcare costs. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment, stressing to senior State Department officials that "one-eighth" of Biden's term remains.
One of Biden's primary objectives is to secure a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and he plans to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the coming weeks. During his call with campaign staff, the president expressed optimism about the prospects of a deal, stating, "I think we're on the verge of being able to do that."
Biden also focuses on quickly filling federal judiciary vacancies and making other federal agency appointments. However, he will likely face resistance from Senate Republicans eager to block any last-minute victories.
