US President Joe Biden has emerged in public for the first time since his recent withdrawal from the presidential race and subsequent Covid diagnosis, which had sparked various conspiracy theories about his health.
The 81-year-old President, who had been isolating at his Delaware residence for five days while recovering from Covid, reappeared at the White House on Wednesday. His return came after his doctors confirmed that his Covid symptoms had resolved and he tested negative on a rapid antigen test. “I am feeling well,” Biden stated.
His absence had fuelled widespread speculation on social media, with some users suggesting that he was in “hospice care” and might not survive. The hashtag “Where’s Joe” trended globally as people speculated about his condition.
Upon arriving at the White House, Biden boarded a plane and faced a barrage of questions from reporters about his health, his decision to drop out of the presidential race, and the possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris challenging Republican nominee Donald Trump. Biden chose not to answer, instead offering a brief thumbs up.
He later expressed his satisfaction with being back at work, stating, “It’s great to be back at the White House. Serving as your Commander-in-Chief continues to be the greatest honour of my life.”
In a post on X, Biden shared that he had resumed his duties and had met with his national security team for his daily intelligence briefing. He had announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race while quarantining, citing a focus on his current presidential responsibilities. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate to face Donald Trump in the upcoming elections.
Biden has scheduled a national address for Friday morning to discuss his decision to withdraw from the race and outline his plans for the remainder of his term. “Tomorrow evening at 8 PM ET, I will address the nation from the Oval Office on what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people,” he announced on X.
