President Joe Biden

President Biden sent a two-page letter to Democratic lawmakers on Monday to say that “I am firmly committed to staying in this race,” saying speculation over his future was helping former President Donald Trump — and that it was time to stop.

“The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end. We have one job,” Biden said.

Biden, 81, has been insistent that he would continue his campaign even after he badly faltered in a debate with Trump — a performance that alarmed Democrats worried about his ability to run, win and govern. He has said he had a cold and jet lag, and has been working since to try to demonstrate he is still up to the job.

On Monday morning, he made an unusual live call in to MSNBC’s Morning Joe and angrily defended his electoral and policy record. He angrily expressed his frustration with the Democrats who are questioning his stamina.

“I’m not going to explain anymore about what I should or shouldn’t do — I am running,” Biden said during the 20-minute conversation with the show’s hosts.

“I don’t care what those ‘big names’ think. They were wrong in 2020, they were wrong in 2022 about the red wave. They’re wrong in 2024,” Biden said.