President Joe Biden made his first public appearance in six days on Tuesday — also his first appearance since announcing that he had tested positive for COVID again and his first since announcing via a letter posted on X that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
Biden was captured on video exiting a vehicle at Dover Air Force Base, where he paused briefly to engage with reporters as they shouted questions in his direction.
WATCH:
For the first time since dropping out of the presidential race, and after hiding for 5 full days, Biden is finally seen in public. pic.twitter.com/DI0aY6lTU4
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 23, 2024
“Mr. President, how are you feeling?” one reporter shouted, and several others quickly echoed the same question.
Biden turned to face them but did not give an intelligible response at first. He then appeared to say simply, “Well,” before giving a thumbs up and turning his head in the opposite direction.
“Are you going to talk to us?” one reported shouted then.
“How are you feeling since you dropped out of the race, Sir?” another asked.
“How do you feel about Harris’ campaign?” another added as Biden walked away, his back to the reporters.
“Can Harris beat Trump?” the questions continued, but Biden was already walking up the stairs to board Air Force One. “Can Harris beat Trump, Mr. President?”
As he reached the top of the stairs, Biden slowly turned and saluted, holding a medical mask in his left hand. He then turned his back once more and disappeared into the plane.
Biden’s team has announced that he plans to address the nation on Wednesday, a full three days after he announced his plan to step down and not accept the Democratic Party’s 2024 nomination. In the days since, Vice President Kamala Harris — whom Biden has endorsed — has seen a fundraising boom and, after amassing the necessary delegates, declared herself the de facto Democratic presidential nominee.