Stunning video captures Joe Biden, who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier in the day, struggling to get into a car late Wednesday night after deplaning from Air Force One in Delaware. Biden, who was forced to cut short his trip to Nevada, needed assistance from a Secret Service agent who appeared to push him into the vehicle. Biden had returned to his Rehoboth Beach home to quarantine and recuperate. Earlier, he was seen struggling to climb the steps to Air Force One when leaving Nevada.
Video posted by NBC News shows Biden carefully descending the short stairs of Air Force One, pausing several times as he navigated the fourteen steps. When asked about Chuck Schumer reportedly advising him to withdraw from the presidential race, Biden ignored the question, stating he was “doing well” while raising a weak thumbs-up and flashing a faint smile. NBC cut the video as Biden began attempting to enter the car.
In pool video posted by Jacob Gardenswartz with Scripps News, Biden struggles to get into the car, bouncing weakly several times until a Secret Service agent appears to give him a push from behind to help him into the seat. The agent then bends over, seemingly to straighten Biden’s legs. Notably, Biden was not wearing a mask, nor did he put one on in the car during the video.
An ABC News report on Biden’s arrival featured anchor David Muir noting that Biden appeared to “need a little help,” adding, “it does look like certainly the President’s feeling the effects of, uh, you know, early in the stages of COVID.”
President Biden arrived in Delaware tonight after being diagnosed with COVID-19. He is experiencing mild symptoms, according to the White House.
ABC News – @ABC
Earlier Wednesday, CNN commentator Van Jones remarked, “A bullet couldn’t stop Trump. A virus just stopped Biden… The Democrats are coming apart. The Republicans are coming together.”
CNN’s Van Jones: “A bullet couldn’t stop Trump. A virus just stopped Biden… The Democrats are coming apart. The Republicans are coming together.” pic.twitter.com/kcWNUjcPOD —
Bobby LaValley – @Bobby_LaVallley
Earlier Wednesday, a clip of Biden’s interview went viral where he mentioned he might drop out of the presidential race if diagnosed with a “medical condition.”
ITS OVER! Biden and the Dems are laying the groundwork to swap candidates. Biden admits that he made a huge mistake with the debate, and would step down if a “medical condition emerged”. It’s coming. It’s only a matter of who replaces him, and when. The transition is underway.
Clandestine (@WarClandestine
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement about Biden’s COVID diagnosis, accompanied by a note from “the President’s Doctor”:
“Earlier today, following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms. He will return to Delaware to self-isolate and continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.”
The President’s Doctor added:
“The President presented this afternoon with upper respiratory symptoms, including rhinorrhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise. He felt okay for his first event of the day, but given that he was not feeling better, point-of-care testing for COVID-19 was conducted, and the results were positive. The President will be self-isolating in accordance with CDC guidance for symptomatic individuals. PCR confirmation testing is pending. His symptoms remain mild, with a normal respiratory rate of 16, temperature of 97.8, and pulse oximetry at 97%. The President has received his first dose of Paxlovid. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth.”