President Biden stated on Friday (July 19) that he will return to the campaign trail next week and will not withdraw from the race.
In a statement released through his campaign team on Friday, Biden responded to former President Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention the night before.
“Last night, the American people saw the same Trump they rejected four years ago,” Biden said in the statement.
Biden insisted that he will defeat Trump again in November.
“As a party and as a nation, we can and will defeat him in the election,” Biden said.
“I look forward to returning to the campaign trail next week… advocating for my record in office and my vision for America: saving our democracy, protecting our rights and freedoms, and creating opportunities for everyone,” he added.
Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday (July 17) while attending a campaign event in Las Vegas and is currently isolating at his home in Delaware.
Biden’s team is adamant that he will not withdraw from the race, although reports suggest he will announce his decision in the coming days.
The Democratic Party plans to expedite nominating Biden. The Democratic National Convention Rules Committee held an online meeting on Friday to discuss plans to formally nominate Biden through virtual roll call voting in the weeks leading up to the August convention.
Friday was about outlining the plan within the party, with no voting or decisions made.
Multiple Democratic sources involved in the activities told Reuters that several fundraising events have been put on hold.
It was reported that Biden had planned to raise funds next week in Austin, Denver, and California, but those events have been canceled.
The latest update from the White House doctor on Friday stated that Biden still tests positive for the virus, with major symptoms being a cough and hoarseness, but his condition has significantly improved compared to Thursday.
According to NBC News citing sources, Vice President Kamala Harris held a phone meeting with major Democratic donors on Friday afternoon.
Biden’s campaign officials stated that it was at the request of the president’s advisors that she made the call.
In an email invitation obtained by NBC News, Harris will discuss “urgent, newly emerged” needs with donors.
“We continue to find ourselves in a rapidly changing environment,” the invitation read.