Written by Jacob Thompson.

President Joe Biden seems to be coming to terms with stepping down from his re-election bid, multiple sources reported on Thursday. Insiders close to Biden revealed to various media outlets that significant pressure from top Democratic officials is pushing him towards this decision.

“Reality is setting in,” an anonymous source told the New York Times, suggesting that Biden’s path to re-election is diminishing. This sentiment is driven by fears that if Biden doesn’t step down, Donald Trump might return to the White House. High-ranking Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are reportedly urging Biden to announce his exit as soon as this weekend.

A close friend of Biden expressed that the president faces a choice between being remembered as a hero in history or risking the chance of a Biden presidential library never materializing. “I pray that he does the right thing. He’s headed that way,” the friend added, highlighting the gravity of Biden’s situation.

Biden’s Isolation and Realization

Biden is currently isolating at his Delaware beach home after testing positive for COVID-19. This period of isolation has reportedly given him time to reflect on his position. Despite millions of Democratic primary voters supporting him, the party’s top officials seem to be leaning towards replacing him. The pressure is not just from the public but also from within his inner circle, indicating a significant shift in the party’s strategy.

In response to these rumors, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates simply wrote “No” on X, dismissing the claims of Biden stepping down. Meanwhile, Biden campaign spokesperson TJ Ducklo, who left the White House in 2021 after a scandal, also denied the allegations, affirming Biden as the “party’s nominee.” However, a Twitter fact-checking note clarified that Biden is not officially the Democratic nominee as the delegates have yet to nominate him.

Our Take

The pressure on Biden to step down reflects a critical juncture for the Democratic Party. The party’s internal dynamics and concerns about a Trump comeback are driving this unprecedented move. If Biden does step down, it could significantly alter the political landscape, highlighting the deep divisions and strategic calculations within the party. The public deserves to know the full story, and transparency from all involved parties is essential.