After mysteriously disappearing from the public eye following a declared positive COVID test on July 17th, Joe Biden made his first public appearance on Tuesday. The White House had maintained that his absence was due to his health condition but did little to quell swirling rumors of an undisclosed medical emergency that might have prompted his withdrawal from the presidential race.

Biden was seen slowly walking up the stairs of Air Force One as he ignored questions from reporters asking him about the capabilities of his Vice President, Kamala Harris. Once he eventually got to the top of the stairs, the president gave a salute.

Amidst his last-ditch campaign blitz last week, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while in Las Vegas. Following the diagnosis, he began isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home. Today, the president tested negative for the virus, paving the way for his return to the White House. His physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, confirmed Biden’s negative status through a Binax rapid antigen test.

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“The President’s symptoms have resolved. Over the course of his infection, he never manifested a fever, and his vital signs remained normal, to include pulse oximetry. His lungs remained clear,” O’Connor wrote. “BINAX rapid antigen testing is negative. He will continue to be monitored for any recurrence of illness. The President continues to perform all of his presidential duties. As always, I will continue to keep your office updated with any changes in his condition or treatment plan.”

On Monday, O’Connor shared that Biden’s symptoms were nearly completely resolved. Additionally, he mentioned that the president had taken his tenth dose of the antiviral medication Paxlovid. The drug is an antiviral medication developed by Pfizer.

Apart from his letter declining to seek a second term, Biden has not addressed the nation in person, a promise initially made to reporters by the White House but has not come to fruition. Washington lawmakers have increased their calls for Biden to resign, citing his deteriorating health and decision to drop out. On Monday Sen. Steve Daines (R-MO), who chairs the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, urged the Democrat to do what’s best for the country and immediately step aside.

“If Joe Biden is no longer capable of running for re-election, he is no longer capable of serving as President. Being President is the hardest job in the world, and I no longer have confidence that Joe Biden can effectively execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief. It is out of concern for our country’s national security that I am formally calling on President Biden to resign from office,” Daines said in a statement.

On Monday, Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) took questions from Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum about where Biden has been since he was last seen boarding Air Force One on Friday. “Nine months went by without a cabinet meeting, and when there were cabinet meetings they were somewhat scripted,” said MacCallum. “I mean, the things that are coming out now … We were told, ‘Oh he’s fine, he runs circles around everyone.'”

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Biden is reportedly set to give a speech on Wednesday announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and his endorsement of Harris. The Democratic National Committee has announced that it will proceed with a selection process to determine the party’s presidential nominee by August 7.

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