Biden says only a 'medical condition' would push him to consider dropping out of race

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly rejected calls from Democratic detractors for him to end his campaign, said he would only consider dropping out if doctors diagnose that he has a medical condition.

"If I had some medical condition that emerged, if the doctors came to me and said you got this problem or that problem," Biden said Tuesday in an interview with BET when asked if there's anything that would make him reevaluate staying in the 2024 race.

Biden has maintained he is healthy and fit to be president for another four years after his disastrous June 27 debate against Trump raised scrutiny over his mental fitness and ignited calls from Democrats that he end his campaign.

"I made a serious mistake in the whole debate," Biden said. "Look, the reason I ran, you may remember, is I said I was going to be a transitional candidate. And I thought that I'd be able to move from this to pass it on to someone else. But I didn't anticipate things getting so, so, so divided.

"And quite frankly, I think the only thing age brings is a little bit of wisdom," he said, adding that he's also demonstrated he can "get things done for the country."

More: Democrats to hold off on early virtual nomination of President Biden amid party outcry

More: Rep. Adam Schiff becomes latest Democrat to call for Biden to drop out of race

Biden did not elaborate on what types of medical conditions would compel him to reassess his reelection campaign.

Biden has taken three annual physicals during his presidency, with each also involving a neurological exam. In a summary of Biden's most recent physical in February, his physician, Kevin O'Connor, reported mild arthritis contributing to Biden's stiff gait and said Biden is being treated for sleep apnea.

O'Connor called Biden "a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency."

Rep. Adam Schiff. D-Calif., the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, became the most high-profile House Democrat to publicly call for Biden to withdraw, citing "serious concerns" Biden can't beat former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, in the November election.

Schiff joined at least two dozen of his Democratic congressional colleagues who have publicly called for Biden to withdraw from the race and allow the party to pick a different nominee to take on Trump.

The Democratic National Committee said Wednesday it is holding off on having an expedited roll-call vote this month to confirm Biden as their party's nominee ? a scenario that Biden's Democratic skeptics opposed. But DNC leaders they still plan to nominate Biden before Aug. 7 ahead of the convention later in the month to resolve concerns about meeting ballot deadlines in several states.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrion.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden says only a 'medical condition' would push him to reassess race