White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters US President Joe Biden "is clear-eyed and he is staying in the race," though she admitted "the last few days have been challenging" amid fallout from his debate performance
Biden is meeting Vice-President Kamala Harris and other key allies, including lawmakers and a group of Democratic governors, as he faces mounting questions over whether he should continue his re-election bid
His campaign has pushed back against a New York Times report which said Biden had told a close ally his re-election effort was in danger, with a White House spokesperson calling it "absolutely false"
Biden, 81, performed poorly in a debate with his Republican rival Donald Trump, 78, last week, and pressure has intensified in the days since with damaging polling fuelling Democratic concerns about his candidacy
A new poll by CBS News on Wednesday found the election race had shifted in Trump's favour following the debate, including in crucial battleground states
Biden has for days insisted he will keep fighting until November's vote, saying he believes with his "heart and soul" that he could serve another term in office
We reported earlier that President Joe Biden was meeting Vice President Kamala Harris for lunch.
When asked about today's meeting, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre once again says the president "is not dropping out".
"They regularly have lunch," she says of Biden and Harris.
She then points to Harris speaking in support of Biden in recent days.
Image source, EPAMore now from White House press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
She says "this moment is critical, regardless of the debate... Everything is at stake".
But she admits "the last few days have been challenging".
Jean-Pierre says any leader would say "they always have to prove themselves... to their constituents".
"The president is clear-eyed and he is staying in the race," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters.
She doubles down and says Biden is clear he wants to stay in the race.
"That is what the president is focused on, continuing to deliver for the American people," she says.
Image source, EPAThe White House briefing has been more combative than usual. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is getting asked a series of questions from reporters about the president's age.
One reporter asks if it was true Biden had an afternoon nap every day.
Jean-Pierre says she was not going speak to "unnamed sources" out there who claimed Biden did.
Asked if there's anything that would change Biden's mind about standing down from his election campaign, she says: "he's been very clear" he is in the race for the long haul.
Jean-Pierre says he is moving forward with his campaign. And she says anything that is reported otherwise is "absolutely false".
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined an all-staff call with their re-election campaign Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the conversation, BBC's US partner CBS reports.
"I'm in this race to the end and we're going to win, because when Democrats unite, we will always win. Just as we beat Donald Trump in 2020, we're going to beat him again in 2024," Biden was quoted as saying.
Harris also chimed in: "We will not back down. We will follow our president’s lead. We will fight, and we will win."
"Absolutely not," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre just said when asked if President Joe Biden would step down.
She said it was a fair question to ask, but pointed to Biden's work record as an example of his ability to continue to lead.
Jean-Pierre later added the president was "clear-eyed" and "staying in the race".
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is speaking with reporters at the moment.
The first question she is asked is about Joe Biden's poor debate performance, and his comment that he had jet lag at the time.
Jean-Pierre says his busy schedule, including two recent international trips, and the fact he had a cold on the night of the debate, provided context for his debate showing. But she says it is not an "excuse".
"It is an explanation... (but) we certainly don't want to explain this way," she says.
Kayla Epstein
Senior journalist
Biden has a busy schedule today - not a surprise as his team seeks to reassure doubters that he has the vigour required for the job.
He was scheduled to have a private lunch with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House today.
This afternoon, he will give remarks at the Medal of Honor ceremony, which bestows the nation's highest military award on distinguished service members.
Most interestingly, he is set to have a meeting with prominent Democratic governors this evening.
Nomia Iqbal
BBC News, Washington
The Biden candidacy is under a dark cloud that seems to be growing and growing since his debate performance.
It's being fed hourly and daily by an American media demanding answers and fervently reporting every twist.
The White House has denied the New York Times's claim that Biden is weighing up his options, but at this point all denials are being treated sceptically.
Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett was the first out of the gate to say yesterday that the president should step down.
And whilst others more senior, such as Nancy Pelosi, aren't making the same call, the fact she said Biden's mental health is a legitimate issue to talk about is telling.
What's been interesting is how quiet Donald Trump is right now.
Some members of Trump's Republican party have called on Biden to stand down, but most haven't.
It may be that the familiarity of Joe Biden as an opponent is their preference, especially when the race is fairly static and polls suggest Trump currently edging him in battleground states.
Introducing another candidate to take him on is a wildcard the Republicans may not want to entertain.
Ana Faguy
US Reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe conversation surrounding US President Joe Biden has shifted significantly in recent days.
Last week, Biden and Trump debated for 90 minutes on public television.
Biden’s performance was was marked by verbal blanks and some hard-to-follow answers.
The day after, he spoke at a rally to reassure supporters.
It was like a different Biden had appeared on stage, well spoken and energised. It left some voters hopeful the debate was a one-off.
But some US news outlets have since published reports from unnamed sources that Biden’s abilities are deteriorating.
The New York Times and Chicago Tribune editorial boards published pieces calling for Biden to step aside from the race.
While some pundits and analysts speculated Biden would not be able to beat Trump, Democrats have mainly dismissed the claims as speculative.
On Tuesday, the first US elected official called on Biden to drop out.
But key allies like Vice President Kamala Harris appear to be behind Biden's campaign still, and have spoken in support of the president.
Caitlin Wilson
Reporting from Washington, DC
Image source, Getty ImagesHello and welcome to our live coverage of the increased scrutiny US President Joe Biden is facing after his debate performance against Donald Trump last week.
Questions about the 81-year-old Biden's age are not new.
However, his shaky performance on the debate stage - which was marked by verbal blanks, a hoarse voice, and some difficult-to-follow answers - reportedly triggered panic among some Democrats.
Despite the swirling rumours, top Democrats say they are standing behind Biden as their candidate to take on Trump, 78, in the race for the White House.
But it is remarkable that there would be questions over a major party’s nominee - especially when that candidate is already the president - at this point in an election cycle.
This is a fast-moving story, so stick with us as we bring you all the latest news and analysis.