Joe Biden pushes party unity as he resists calls to step aside

The president, who has insisted he can beat the Republican former president, was huddling with family and relying on a few long-time aides as he tries to resist efforts to shove him aside

Mr Biden, in a Friday statement, said Mr Trump’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, showcased a “dark vision for the future”.

President Joe Biden has appealed for party unity to take on Donald Trump’s “dark vision”, working to hold off pressure from Democrats at the highest levels for him to bow out of the 2024 election to make way for a new nominee and avoid widespread losses.

As more Democratic members of Congress called for him to drop out on Friday — bringing the total since his disastrous debate against Mr Trump to at least 30 — Mr Biden remained isolated at his beach house in Delaware after being diagnosed with Covid-19.