A photo of an unmasked President Joe Biden in front of reporters after news broke of his COVID-19 diagnosis went viral on social media on Wednesday evening.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday evening that earlier today, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 after a campaign event in Las Vegas.
Minutes after Jean-Pierre's statement was released, CNN White House and politics reporter DJ Judd shared a photo of Biden on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: "An unmasked President Joe Biden flashes a thumbs up to reporters on the tarmac before boarding Air Force One moments after the White House announced he tested positive for Covid-19 here in Las Vegas, Nevada."
When reporters asked how he was feeling, Biden said, "I feel good," according to Judd.
An unmasked President Joe Biden flashes a thumbs up to reporters on the tarmac before boarding Air Force One moments after the White House announced he tested positive for Covid-19 here in Las Vegas, Nevada.'
— DJ Judd (@DJJudd) July 17, 2024
"I feel good," he tells reporters asking how he's feeling. pic.twitter.com/FzWbsDj9VH
The post has already gotten 32,900 views in the past hour.
Meanwhile, a video posted by Alex Salvi, a foreign correspondent for Newsmax, showed Biden boarding Air Force One. His post has received 18,300 views in a little under an hour.
NEW: Pres. Biden—unmasked—boards Air Force One in Las Vegas to head to Delaware to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19: pic.twitter.com/OqjcRPTEV3
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) July 17, 2024
About an hour after Jean-Pierre announced Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis, Biden wrote on X: "I tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon, but I am feeling good and thank everyone for the well wishes. I will be isolating as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people."
Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre said that Biden "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."
Biden's doctor said that the president had upper respiratory symptoms and general malaise Wednesday afternoon.
"He felt okay for his first event of the day, but given that he was not feeling better, point of care testing for COVID-19 was conducted, and the results were positive for the COVID-19 virus," Biden's doctor said, adding that the president is on Paxlovid, an antiviral drug that helps to manage symptoms of COVID-19.
Biden was set to speak at the UnidosUS Annual Conference on Wednesday afternoon, drawing more than 1,500 Latino advocates in leaders in Nevada, a crucial swing state in the 2024 presidential race. The speech comes as Biden has been trying to rally his supporters around him amid calls from Democrats in Congress for him to resign from his reelection campaign following his dismal debate performance against former President Donald Trump, who is now officially the GOP presidential nominee.
Newsweek reached out to Biden's campaign and the White House via email for comment.
About the writer
Rachel Dobkin is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting on politics. Rachel joined Newsweek in ... Read more
