White House claims president's health had 'nothing to do' with his decision to drop out

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday that President Joe Biden's decision to drop his bid for reelection had "nothing to do with his health."

Biden withdrew his bid for a second term in the White House on Sunday, claiming that he felt it was in the "best interest" of the country to focus on finishing his term in the Oval Office. But his decision comes after many Democrats expressed concern over the president's electability in November, and whether he could serve another four years in the White House.

Jean-Pierre said that the president would be addressing the nation on Wednesday night about his decision to end his race, and urged Americans to keep an open mind during his speech.

“It has nothing to do with his health. The president is going to speak to this directly to the American people in prime time,” Jean-Pierre said in a press briefing, per The Hill. “In his letter he talked about the country, he talked about the party, he talked about the moment we’re in right now. It is not about his health. I can say no, that’s not the reason. But hear him out tonight.”

The press secretary claimed that the president made his decision on Sunday after talking to advisers on Saturday night. He also spoke to his family about the best way to move forward, and then alerted senior staff on Sunday before his letter was posted to social media.

The president is expected to address the nation live from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. ET. It will mark his first on-camera statement since he announced his decision. 

Vice President Kamala Harris has since become the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, after Biden endorsed her shortly after withdrawing.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.