A chance to show voters and the outside world that he can still lead the USA? Or final proof for critics that it's time to step down?
This evening's press conference is extremely crucial for President Joe Biden.
It's extremely rare, but on the other hand, the situation is also unique. Shortly after midnight Swedish time, Biden will step up to the podium in Washington to hold a solo press conference in connection with the NATO meeting.
It's been eight months since the American president held a press conference, then after a meeting in California with China's counterpart Xi Jinping. No president has held fewer press conferences since Ronald Reagan's time in the White House.
This is in focus
Originally, the focus was intended to be on summarizing the three-day NATO meeting, but that will likely be pushed aside. Instead, it's Biden's medical status that will be in focus.
How will he perform during the press conference, how is his mental focus, will he stumble over the words, and how will the answers sound in detail?
Will there be similarities with what has been described as a catastrophic performance in the TV debate against Donald Trump recently? If so, critics will get more ammunition – and critics have also become increasingly numerous in recent times.
New TV interview
Among them are now Democratic Senator Peter Welch from Vermont and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (Michigan). They have both urged Biden to step down from the presidential campaign and let someone else take on Donald Trump. Even more attention in the USA has been drawn to the fact that actor George Clooney has done the same.
81-year-old Biden has made an appearance so far during the NATO meeting, but under different circumstances. In his opening speech, he could read from a teleprompter.
In addition to Thursday's press conference, it has also been announced that Biden will do another TV interview, this time with NBC, scheduled to be broadcast in the USA on Monday next week.
