Biden under pressure to drop presidential re-run as Trump widens his lead

US President Joe Biden has reportedly told an ally that he is weighing whether to continue with his presidential re-run after a devastating performance on the debate stage against Donald Trump last week.

According to a report by the New York Times, Biden has told a key ally that he may not be able to salvage his candidacy if he is unable to convince the American people that he can do the job as president once again.

"He knows if he has two more events like that, we’re in a different place" by the end of the weekend, an ally was quoted as saying by the New York Times while referring to more Atlanta debate-like events that he is supposed to face in the immediate future this week amid concerns related to his unfocused performance due to age-related issues.

Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, said the claim was "absolutely false".

"The president is moving forward. He's moving forward as being president, he's moving forward with his campaign ... that is the president's focus. The president's focus is, how does he continue to do that work? And anything else that we're hearing or that's being reported is absolutely false," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters later.

What does it mean?

The report is the first such indication of its kind that despite the optics of the Bidens keeping a strong face after Atlanta debate disaster, the US president is sceptical of a presidential rerun.

Reports say that Biden is also reaching out to the Democrat elected officials to discuss the future of his presidential campaign.

He is also continuing to reach out to people he has long trusted and is aiming to move on from his debate performance.

Donald Trump leads in the polls

A CBS News poll on Wednesday (July 3) showed former President Donald Trump edging ahead of Biden since the debate with 50 per cent to 48 per cent across the United States and 51 per cent to 48 per cent in battleground states.

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A New York Times and Sienna College poll showed Trump leading 49 per cent to Biden's 43 per cent nationally, a three-point swing toward the Republican strongman before the debate.

It is the largest lead Trump has recorded in a Times/Siena poll since 2015.Trump leads by even more among registered voters, 49 per cent to 41 per cent.

(With inputs from agencies)