President Joe Biden made his first public appearance in five days on Tuesday afternoon, emerging from a Secret Service SUV at Dover Air Force Base as he returned to the White House from a trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The president, who had been absent from public view since last Wednesday, slowly climbed out of the vehicle and shuffled across the apron to board Air Force One.
When asked how he was feeling, Biden responded with a brief “Well” and a thumbs-up, but did not address subsequent questions about his decision to abandon his 2024 re-election campaign or his opinion on whether Vice President Kamala Harris could defeat former President Donald Trump in November.
Notably, the president was seen wearing a blue face mask, despite earlier reports from the White House physician that his symptoms had resolved and he had tested negative for COVID-19. According to the physician, Biden will continue to be monitored for any signs of illness recurring.
The White House also released an updated schedule for the remainder of the week, including a Wednesday address to the nation from the Oval Office and a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. Biden will depart the White House on Friday afternoon for a weekend retreat at Camp David, where he will remain until Sunday afternoon.
