Biden under new pressure from top Democrats as Covid halts campaign

President Joe Biden is under new pressure as he campaigns for re-election in November, with his campaign events currently on hold due to a Covid-19 infection. Top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have met with him individually to express their concerns about his bid for the White House. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also privately told him that she believes he cannot beat Donald Trump in the upcoming election, according to CNN. Biden's re-election attempt was already facing challenges after a poor debate performance against Trump last month. Announcing his Covid infection on Wednesday, Biden's press secretary said the 81-year-old president is experiencing mild symptoms. He will isolate at his home in Delaware while continuing to carry out his duties fully. Biden is vaccinated and boosted and has tested positive for Covid twice before. Earlier in the day, Biden was seen visiting supporters in Las Vegas and speaking at an event. However, he was forced to cancel a speech later in the day at UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights organization. This marked a sudden and disappointing end to a trip that was supposed to see Biden hitting the campaign trail with full force after a pause caused by the attempted assassination of his rival Trump. Biden had spent time in Las Vegas trying to regain support among Hispanic voters, with whom his poll lead has slipped since 2020. Later on Wednesday, Biden was seen moving slowly and cautiously up the steps to Air Force One without wearing a mask. As he boarded the plane, he said, 'Good, I feel good. ' Biden also took selfies with diners at a Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas. In recent weeks, there have been growing calls for Biden to withdraw from the election race. During their separate private meetings with Biden, Schumer and Jeffries expressed concerns that his presence at the top of the November election ticket could hurt their chances of controlling either chamber in Congress. White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, plans to win, and looks forward to working with them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families. A spokesman for Jeffries said it was a private conversation that will remain private. Schumer's office called the reporting 'idle speculation' but added that the Democratic leader conveyed the views of his caucus directly to Biden. Pelosi, too, is said by CNN to have told Biden in a recent conversation that polling suggested he could harm the Democrats' chances of winning the House in November. Biden pushed back, at which point Pelosi asked for input on key data from Biden's long-time adviser, according to CNN, which cited four sources briefed on the call. It is not clear when the conversation took place. Pelosi's office told CNN she had not been in touch with Biden since Friday. About two dozen Democratic politicians have publicly called for Biden to step aside in recent weeks, including Congressman Adam Schiff from California, who has called on Biden to 'pass the torch. ' Schiff said Biden 'has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation's history' and could 'secure his legacy of leadership' by allowing another Democrat to step forward. In an interview with BET, Biden said he did not feel he could pass the mantle with the country so 'divided. ' The president also said, for the first time, that he would consider dropping out of the race if any of his doctors said he had a 'medical condition. ' Before the announcement of Biden's infection on Wednesday, reporters on the Las Vegas trip said they had been rushed off the site of a campaign stop at a Mexican restaurant to the city's airport following the announcement. The restaurant had been decorated with Mexican art and 'Biden-Harris' posters. Biden shook hands with diners, kissed one, and took selfies with others. He seemed somewhat stiffer and appeared slower than the day before when he had given an energetic performance in a speech to a national civil rights group. Commenting later in the day on his Covid infection, Biden's doctor Kevin O'Connor said the president had upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and a cough, and had been given his first dose of Paxlovid. Biden posted on social media to thank everyone for their well wishes and said he would continue to work for the American people while recovering. In another post, he criticized Elon Musk and his wealthy friends for trying to buy the election and asked for donations.