Joe Biden 'told key ally he could QUIT' presidential race with 'decision to be made in just DAYS'

The ally said Biden knows his next few appearances must go well if he's to convince the American public that he's fit to take on the job for another four years, the New York Times reported, in a shock reveal which follows his first official call from within to resign just yesterday.

The ally told the outlet: "He knows if he has two more events like that, we're in a different place".

And sending speculation swirling, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates immediately slated the NYT's claims on social media as "absolutely false".

House Representative Lloyd Doggett became the first congressional Democrat to call for Biden to step aside on July 2 in a statement saying he was "hopeful" the President "will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw".

The Texas Democrat lawmaker said: "While much of his work has been transformational, he pledged to be transitional.

"He has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders from whom a nominee can be chosen to unite our country through an open, democratic process."

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And in another sign that rebellion could be fomenting from inside his own party, CBS reported that a "large" group of House Democrats "covering a broad swath of the Democratic caucus" is also calling on Biden to withdraw from the race.

Biden currently has an interview slated for Friday with ABC News, as well as campaign trail appearances in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but the President's pressure to perform has reached an all-time high.

A top Biden adviser told the NYT that the 81-year-old was "well aware of the political challenge he faces" - and his team has remained firm that he will fight on.

The President is also set to meet Democratic governors today in crunch White House talks which could give him a chance to reassure leaders in his party that he is of sound mind and body despite the debate.

He has also faced calls from abroad to resign, with former Italian PM Matteo Renzi insisting on Wednesday that, if Biden stays on as the Democratic candidate, Donald Trump could be handed "the greatest gift he could ever receive".

Renzi said: "Biden will go down in history as a US President who did many things that had a great impact.

"At the same time, if he does not quit, he will give Trump the greatest gift he could ever receive... If [the Democrats] go with Joe, I fear it will be a lost battle.

"Democrats must now do everything not to lose this battle. And the only way is to change horses."

If Biden were to drop out, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris is the top alternative to replace him, according to senior sources at the Biden campaign, the White House and the Democratic National Committee.

If named as the party nominee, Harris, 59, would take over money raised by the Biden campaign and inherit campaign infrastructure, the sources said.

She also has the highest name recognition among all the alternatives, and the highest polling among Democrats who could seriously be considered a candidate, the sources added.

And some influential Democrats have floated alternatives to Biden besides Harris, including popular cabinet members and Democratic state governors like Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer and Josh Shapiro - but trying to sidestep Harris is wishful thinking and would be nearly impossible, these sources, who did not wish to be named, said.