Joe Biden’s spokeswoman affirmed on Wednesday that he is “absolutely not” withdrawing from the White House race, countering speculation following his challenging debate performance against Donald Trump. Reports from The New York Times and CNN indicated Biden, 81, is keenly aware of the need to reassure the public about his capabilities, with his first post-debate TV interview scheduled for Friday.

Despite Biden’s acknowledgment that another poor debate could significantly impact his campaign, the White House dismissed suggestions of his potential withdrawal as untrue. However, within the Democratic establishment, concerns have grown over what’s seen as evasive responses from Biden and his team following the debate.

 Getty Images

A recent New York Times poll, conducted post-debate, showed Trump with a significant lead over Biden, amplifying worries among Democrats about their prospects in November’s election. Progressive polling also suggested traditionally safe Biden states like New Hampshire, Virginia, and New Mexico could now be competitive for Trump.

Amidst mounting apprehension within the party, Biden scheduled a meeting with all 23 Democratic governors to address concerns. He plans to campaign in swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in the coming days and will participate in his first interview since the debate with ABC News on Friday.