Schumer told President Joe Biden he should end reelection bid, ABC News reports

Democratic concern about the 81-year-old incumbent's ability to beat Republican challenger Trump, or to serve another four years in office, surged after Biden's halting June 27 debate performance.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks at a press conference following the weekly Senate caucus luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, June 12, 2024.  (photo credit: REUTERS/Craig Hudson)
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks at a press conference following the weekly Senate caucus luncheons on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, June 12, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/Craig Hudson)

US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told President Joe Biden in a meeting on Saturday it would be better for the country and the Democratic Party if he ended his reelection campaign, ABC News reported on Wednesday.

US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed similar views directly to Biden, ABC News reported, citing a source familiar with the conversation.

In a statement, Schumer's office called the report "idle speculation" and said Schumer "conveyed the views of his caucus directly to President Biden on Saturday."

ABC News said the one-on-one meeting took place at Biden's home in Rehoboth, Delaware.

"I sat with President Biden this afternoon in Delaware; we had a good meeting," Schumer said in a statement released on Saturday.

 US President Joe Biden speaks with US Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during a celebration for Jewish American Heritage Month in the Rose Garden at the White House, in Washington, US, May 20, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS)
US President Joe Biden speaks with US Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during a celebration for Jewish American Heritage Month in the Rose Garden at the White House, in Washington, US, May 20, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS)

"The President told both leaders he is the nominee of the party, he plans to win, and looks forward to working with both of them to pass his 100 days agenda to help working families," White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement.

Other Democrats agree

Earlier on Wednesday, Democratic US Representative Adam Schiff became the 20th congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to drop out of the race.

Democratic concern about the 81-year-old incumbent's ability to beat Republican challenger Trump, or to serve another four years in office, surged after Biden's halting June 27 debate performance.