Biden tells ally he is weighing whether to withdraw from 2024 race against Trump: Live updates

Joe Biden has reportedly told a key ally he may not be able to continue with his 2024 campaign if he cannot change the American electorate’s mind about his health and well-being with his next handful of public appearances, the first indication from the president that he understands the seriousness of the damage done by his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in Atlanta, Georgia, last week.

But Biden also said on a call with White House staff on Wednesday: “No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving. I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win.”

Biden, 81, has an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News scheduled on Friday and campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as he seeks to reassure voters and his party that he remains the right man to lead the country.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates wasted no time in dismissing the story, calling the claim “absolutely false” and attacking The New York Times for not giving the West Wing sufficient time to respond to its request for comment.