Joe Biden's Reported Plan to Sleep More and Work Less Sparks Firestorm

President Joe Biden reportedly told a group of Democratic governors on Wednesday that he needs to get more sleep and work fewer hours, according to sources who spoke with The New York Times.

During a meeting at the White House Wednesday evening, the 81-year-old president addressed concerns about his reelection campaign following his first-debate blunder last week, but assured Democratic governors that he was remaining in the race.

The president also reportedly told the governors at the meeting that he needs to get more sleep, noting his numerous foreign trips he took in the weeks leading up to the debate, according to a report by the Times.

The outlet also said that Biden "repeatedly referenced pushing too hard and not listening to his team about his schedule, and said he needed to work fewer hours and avoid events after 8 p.m."

The Times also reported that Biden was asked about the status of his health by Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who is a physician. The president reportedly responded that he was fine, "It's just my brain." Biden's campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, told the Times in a statement that the president was "clearly making a joke."

The Times cited two people who participated in the closed-door meeting on Wednesday and several other sources who were briefed on the matter. Newsweek reached out to the White House Press Office via email for comment Thursday afternoon.

Questions around the president's health have yet to cease a week after his debate against former President Donald Trump, where Biden's low, raspy voice and repeated gaffes sparked concern over his reelection chances. Several Democrats, including two sitting members of the House of Representatives, have called on the president to step down as the Democratic nominee before November.

The Times report about Biden's comments Wednesday sparked heavy criticism online. Chad Gilmartin, conservative political strategist and former communications manager for House Speaker Mike Johnson, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the report was "not reassuring."

"It's okay to admit that an 81-year-old with dementia can't handle a demanding job," posted Christina Pushaw, former rapid response director for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign. "Just like a blind person cannot be a pilot. You aren't an 'ableist' for acknowledging reality."

Stephen Miller, former senior White House adviser under the Trump administration, also wrote to X, "Biden 2024: More sleep. Fewer Hours."

American comedian Bridget Phetasy quipped in response to a report on Biden's comments, "Well thank God nothing bad happens after 8pm!"

Democratic leaders who attended Wednesday's meeting have spoken out in support of Biden over the past 24 hours. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, described the closed-door conversation as productive, "honest and open."

"The governors have his back, and we're working together, just to make very, very clear on that," Walz said at a briefing outside the White House Wednesday evening. "A path to victory in November is the No. 1 priority, and that's the No. 1 priority of the president, so that's what we're trying to get done."

Biden has also defied calls to have him step aside in the election, including telling supporters in a campaign email Wednesday, "Let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I'm running."