News Desk

Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 and is suffering mild symptoms, the White House says. His press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, reported that the US president had received a booster shot. He had previously tested positive for Covid twice.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Biden, 81, was spotted attending an event and touring supporters in Las Vegas. Afterwards, he called off a campaign speech. The sickness coincides with mounting pressure on him to retire due to age

The top two Democrats in the US Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Majority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, are reported by US media to have separately met with Mr. Biden in private and voiced serious concerns about how his candidacy would affect other House and Senate elections.

Mr. Biden had received his first dose of Paxlovid and had shown up with upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose and cough, according to the president’s physician, Kevin O’Connor.

Later, Mr. Biden thanked everyone on X/Twitter for “their well wishes” and pledged to “work to get the job done for the American people” throughout his recuperation.

His account also tweeted, “I’m sick,” and then, in response, said, “… of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election.” And please contribute here if you agree.

Mr. Biden was compelled to postpone his speech at the Latino civil rights organization UnidosUS.

It is an abrupt and crippling end to a tour that was meant to see Mr. Biden return to the campaign road in full force following the break caused by the rival candidate Donald Trump’s attempted assassination.

Growing disapproval among Democrats in Congress was already battering Mr. Biden’s reelection campaign after his appalling debate performance against Donald Trump last month.

Air Force One is bouncing through the hot air above Nevada when it hits even more turbulence, and the president up front takes another unanticipated blow.