Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again... Intensifying Elderly Controversy (Update)

U.S. President Joe Biden, who is under pressure to resign amid controversy over his advanced age, has contracted COVID-19 again. Just one day after resuming his campaign, he canceled all scheduled events, making disruptions to the presidential campaign inevitable. At 81 years old this year, the controversy surrounding his health and cognitive abilities is intensifying.

Janet Murguia, CEO of UnidosUS, a Latino community organization, announced on the afternoon of the 17th (local time) that President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and would not be able to attend an event hosted by the organization. This was more than an hour and a half later than the originally scheduled time for Biden’s campaign appearance. She said, "I just spoke with President Biden. He is very disappointed that he cannot be with us this afternoon," and added, "President Biden has attended many events and has just tested positive for COVID-19."

Shortly thereafter, the White House also announced that President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently experiencing mild symptoms. Previously, Biden had halted all campaign activities following the shooting of his "rival," former President Donald Trump. He resumed campaigning at the NAACP event held in Las Vegas the day before, but medical staff confirmed that he underwent a COVID-19 test after his condition was deemed poor. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre explained that President Biden would perform as many duties as possible while self-isolating at his Delaware residence.

This latest COVID-19 reinfection news draws attention amid the ongoing controversy over Biden’s advanced age. While President Biden continues to express his determination to push forward with the presidential race, doubts about his ability to perform presidential duties persist even within the Democratic Party. On the same day, Representative Adam Schiff, considered a close aide to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, joined the chorus publicly demanding Biden’s resignation. The day before, President Biden stated in a BET interview, "If there is a medical issue, I will resign."

Politico reported, "President Biden’s battle with COVID-19 will stand in stark contrast to former President Trump, who survived last week’s assassination attempt, in the eyes of Democratic Party members," suggesting that this reinfection news will negatively impact Biden’s presidential campaign. The Republican National Convention, ongoing since the 15th after the Trump shooting, is effectively being held as a "Trump coronation."

According to a poll released that day by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago’s NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 70% of respondents said President Biden should withdraw from the presidential race. Among Democratic supporters, 65% supported his resignation, and 77% of independents agreed. Only 37% of Democratic supporters expressed satisfaction with President Biden.

Meanwhile, as President Biden boarded a private plane departing Nevada for Delaware that day, he gave a thumbs-up to reporters on site and said, "I feel good." At that time, he was not wearing a mask. A White House official confirmed that President Biden wears a mask inside the car and on Air Force One.