Biden's decision to drop out 'has nothing to do with his health,' White House says

President Biden's decision to step aside as the expected Democratic nominee in November has "nothing to do with his health," his top spokesperson said Wednesday ahead of his primetime address to the nation.

"It has nothing to do with his health. The president is going to speak to this directly to the American people in primetime," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during a briefing.

"In his letter he talked about the country, he talked about the party, he talked about the moment we’re in right now," she continued. "It is not about his health. I can say no, that’s not the reason. But hear him out tonight."

Biden is scheduled to speak from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. to detail his decision to end his candidacy. It will be the first time he has spoken on camera since announcing on Sunday on social media that he would not seek reelection.

Jean-Pierre said Biden met Saturday evening with a small group of advisers and with his family to discuss how to move forward. On Sunday afternoon, Biden made his decision not to seek reelection and had another call with some senior staff shortly before his letter was published on social media.

"He met with a small group of advisers on Saturday evening. And with his family. And was thinking through how to move forward. Sunday afternoon he made that decision.