"I'm not going anywhere": Biden

US President Joe Biden pledged to continue his fight despite calls for him to withdraw from the presidential race, emphasizing during an Independence Day celebration at the White House that he is "not going anywhere." 

On Thursday, marking the US’ Independence Day, Biden continued his attempts to justify his poor performance during a debate with Donald Trump a week ago, amid serious concerns about his mental capabilities.

Responding to a supporter who urged him to "keep fighting," the 81-year-old president said, "I'm not going anywhere."

In an interview with a local radio station in Pennsylvania broadcast on Thursday morning, Biden again admitted he was "bad in the debate," but added, "90 minutes on stage does not erase what I've done over three and a half years."

The 81-year-old Democratic president faces increasing calls to withdraw his candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for November.

However, the White House firmly rejected the possibility of Biden withdrawing his candidacy for a second term on Wednesday.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president "never thinks" about withdrawing from the race.

On Wednesday, the president met with Democratic leaders from Congress and hosted Democratic governors who affirmed their support for him.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced having "a good conversation with the president and vice president because she is honest." He added, "We said we would support him."

- Worrying Polls -

On Friday, Biden will continue attempts to reassure the public about his capabilities by holding a campaign meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, a crucial state, followed by an interview with ABC television.

He is also scheduled to hold a press conference next week. The purpose of these media appearances is to demonstrate his ability to articulate himself and speak fluently, dispelling doubts that have emerged in recent days about his capacity to lead the country for another four years.

Two Democratic congressmen publicly called this week for finding a stronger candidate than Biden for the presidential election.

Major newspapers, including the New York Times (NYT), have also called for Biden to step aside.

Two polls released by the NYT and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Wednesday showed a clear lead for Trump in national voting intentions, exacerbating the crisis.

After remaining silent following the debate, allowing the crisis to worsen without direct intervention, Trump posted a video on his Truth Social network late Wednesday night, showing him on a golf cart talking to unknown individuals.

Trump said of Biden, "This old trash who is good for nothing has ruined everything." 

He added in the undated video, "They just announced that he will likely step down." He continued, "That means we end up with Kamala," referring to Kamala Harris. He said, "She's very bad, very pathetic."

Trump's campaign team asserted on Wednesday that "Biden is weak and has failed, he is dishonest and does not deserve the White House."

Meanwhile, the White House press secretary justified Biden's disastrous debate performance, which included staring into space, unclear sentences, and stammering, by attributing it to a "cold" and "jet lag" after international trips.