President Joe Biden is contemplating withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, sources say, while former President Donald Trump prepares to accept the Republican nomination with a major speech.

On Thursday, the trajectories of the two candidates diverged significantly as the November 5 election approaches. Biden, 81, is isolating at his Delaware home with mild COVID-19 symptoms, amid mounting pressure from Democrats to step aside to avoid a potential defeat. His doctor reported his condition as mild.

Meanwhile, Trump, 78, is poised to deliver a reflective acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee after surviving an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally last Saturday. Scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern Time (0200 GMT on Friday), Trump’s speech will outline his vision for a second term before a national TV audience.

Biden has been under increasing pressure from key party figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to withdraw after a lackluster debate performance against Trump on June 27. Pelosi and other Democratic leaders, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have expressed concerns about Biden’s viability and the potential impact on down-ballot races.

Opinion polls show Biden struggling in several key states, while Trump’s campaign is gaining traction even in traditionally Democratic-leaning states like Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia. A senior Trump campaign adviser claimed, “We’re expanding the map.”

Although only 20 out of 264 Congressional Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step down, many more have voiced concerns privately. Adam Schiff, a senior House member running for Senate in California, became the latest to urge Biden to reconsider his candidacy.

The White House believes Pelosi is behind the push for Biden to step aside, with a source noting her significant influence in Democratic circles. Former President Barack Obama has also reportedly advised Biden to rethink his campaign.

Trump’s speech at the convention marks his first public appearance since the assassination attempt. Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee co-chair, said the incident has influenced Trump’s speech to emphasize unity. “I don’t think you can go through what he went through on Saturday, really a near-death experience, and not come out on the other side impacted,” she said.

Vice President Kamala Harris, a potential candidate if Biden exits, dismissed Trump’s unity message, citing his refusal to concede the 2020 election. “We’re too busy watching what you’re doing to hear what you’re saying,” she said at a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The convention showcased broad support for Trump within the Republican Party, with endorsements from former rivals like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. However, notable absentees included former President George W. Bush, former Representative Liz Cheney, Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence, and former Senator Mitt Romney, highlighting lingering divisions within the party.