US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to the presidential race on Friday, dismissing increasing calls from within the Democratic Party for him to withdraw. This follows speculation that he might step down as early as this weekend.

“The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win,” the 81-year-old president declared in a statement from his Delaware beach home, where he is currently isolating due to Covid-19. “I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week,” Biden added, with his doctor confirming his recovery from the illness.

However, Biden’s political standing seems more precarious, as ten more House Democrats and two senators joined the growing number of lawmakers urging him to exit the November election against Donald Trump. His lackluster debate performance against Trump three weeks ago sparked concerns about his age and health, leading to over 30 House Democrats and four senators calling for his withdrawal.

Prominent figures, including Silicon Valley investor Michael Moritz and actor George Clooney, have echoed these sentiments. “Sadly, President Biden has a choice — vanity or virtue,” Moritz told the New York Times.

Amid reports of top Democrats expressing apprehension, polling data indicating a potential Trump victory, and dwindling fundraising, pressure on Biden has intensified. NBC News revealed that some of Biden’s family members had discussed the implications of his possible campaign exit, though no final decision has been made.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive frontrunner should Biden withdraw, held an emergency call with donors on Friday. Despite this, Biden’s campaign remains resolute. Campaign chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dillon assured MSNBC’s Morning Joe, “Absolutely the president’s in this race. Joe Biden is more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump.”

In his statement, Biden criticized Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, asserting that “Donald Trump’s dark vision for the future is not who we are as Americans.”

Contrasts between the two campaigns are stark, with Trump receiving enthusiastic support from a newly unified Republican Party after surviving an assassination attempt last Saturday.

Pressure on Biden has surged in the past 48 hours, with reports indicating concerns from former president Barack Obama, ex-House speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other party leaders. Top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries remained non-committal on Friday, stating, “The ticket that exists right now is the ticket we can win on,” but emphasizing that the decision lies with Biden.

The coming weekend is poised to be crucial for Biden’s presidency, with speculation that he is using his time in Rehoboth Beach to consult with family members and consider his options. NBC reports suggest a “carefully calculated plan” could be in the works for Biden to step aside on his own terms, preserving some dignity in what would be an unprecedentedly late withdrawal by a sitting president.

Should Biden choose to step down less than four months before the election, the Democratic Party would face significant challenges in nominating a successor. Biden, who defeated Trump in 2020 to become the oldest president in US history, now finds himself trailing in the polls for the 2024 race. Despite Trump’s criminal convictions, some polls indicate that Harris might be a more competitive candidate.