Biden under intense pressure from Democrats to drop out of election against Trump

• President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure by leading Democrats to drop out of the 2024 election contest against former President Donald Trump.
• The pressure on Biden stems from concerns he could lose not only the White House, but also cost the Democratic Party party its Senate majority and doom any chance it has of regaining a House majority.
• Former President Barack Obama has privately expressed concerns to Democrats about the viability of Biden's candidacy,

As President Joe Biden isolated at his beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware, on Thursday after testing positive for Covid, he faced renewed pressure from leading Democrats to drop out of the 2024 election contest against former President Donald Trump.

Biden, who for weeks has flatly rejected calls to step aside and allow another nominee to take his place, is now said to be more open to listening to top Democrats about the risk of him remaining in the race. He has also reportedly asked advisers in recent days whether they believe his vice president, Kamala Harris, could beat Trump in November.

"We're close to the end," a person close to Biden told NBC News.

The pressure on the 81-year-old Biden stems from concerns that after his disastrous June 27 debate, if he remains the nominee he will lose not only the White House for Democrats, but also cost the party its majority in the Senate and doom Democrats' chances of retaking the House.

Former President Barack Obama has privately expressed fconcerns to Democrats about the viability of Biden's candidacy, both The Associated Press and The Washington Post reported.

Biden served two terms as Obama's vice president, and the 44th president still has unrivaled influence within the Democratic party.

The two Democratic leaders in