Democratic strategist Van Jones called Wednesday a “terrible day” for Democrats following President Biden’s COVID-19 diagnosis, arguing that Biden’s response contrasts with that of former President Trump, who faced an assassination attempt on Saturday.
“This is a terrible day. If you take a step back and look at this, you see the strengths and the weaknesses. Bullets don’t stop Trump. The virus only stopped Biden,” Jones said on CNN Wednesday night.
“Our candidates are being flattered. Biden is being trashed by his own party. The Democrats are fragmenting. The Republicans are unifying. That’s what’s happening. And at some point, this party has to face up to that reality,” he added.
Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, marking the third time a president has tested positive for the virus in the past two years.
The White House said Wednesday that Biden was “experiencing mild symptoms” and would return to Delaware to self-isolate, “while remaining fully functional during that time.” He had received his first dose of Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment made by Pfizer Inc.
Shortly after the announcement, Biden was seen boarding Air Force One to return to Delaware for self-isolation, where he told reporters, “I’m feeling fine.”
It’s been a tumultuous few weeks for Biden, whose dismal debate performance last month raised concerns among some Democrats about whether he could beat Trump in November and serve a second term — and also raised worries about his mental health and age.
At 81, Biden is the oldest serving US president. He has been repeatedly criticised, particularly by Republicans, for being seen as weak by voters and world leaders.
Biden has rejected calls for him to withdraw from the race and has maintained he can beat Trump in the election.
The diagnosis comes days after Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally last Saturday, which left one spectator dead and two others injured.
The day after the shooting, President Trump traveled to Milwaukee to attend this week’s Republican National Convention, where he appeared with a bandage on an injured ear that he said was shot during the attack.
Several Republican National Convention attendees were seen at the event with bandages over their ears as a show of solidarity with the former president.
President Trump is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention on Thursday.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
