Joe Biden pulls out of speech at the last minute after testing positive for Covid and will self-isolate

Biden, 81, was due to address a conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “Earlier today following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for Covid-19.”

She added: “He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms.

"He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will 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 White House released the statement after UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía confirmed Biden would miss the scheduled event.

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“I was just on the phone with President Biden," Murgia told attendees. "And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon.

"The President has been at many events as we all know and he just tested positive for Covid."

Biden, who is facing growing calls to step aside amid concern about his age and competency, last tested positive for Covid in 2022.

The 81-year-old boarded Air Force One in Las Vegas at around 6.30pm.

However, the Commander-in-Chief did not appear to wear a face mask as he boarded the plan.

Photos from his visit to the swing state of Nevada showed Biden shaking hands with patrons at a restaurant.

The positive Covid test comes just hours after Biden revealed he would consider quitting the 2024 White House race if a "medical condition" emerged.

He said: "If I had some medical condition that emerged, if somebody, if doctors came to me and said, ‘You got this problem, that problem."

However, the President gave a thumbs up as he left Las Vegas, telling reporters: "I feel good."

Biden is facing growing calls to step aside following a series of blunders, including at the Nato summit last week.

Representative Adam Schiff joined a growing list of critics, including award-winning actor George Clooney, in urging Biden to let another candidate run as the Democratic Party's nominee.