Joe Biden’s campaign faced increased pressure on Thursday as concerns reportedly grew within Democratic ranks, including from former President Barack Obama, and polls indicated Donald Trump was gaining ground.

According to a senior party official, there is a sense among many Democrats that Biden stepping down is “inevitable.” A CBS News poll showed Biden trailing Trump by five points, marking the widest margin so far in this campaign.

Despite these reports, Biden’s campaign dismissed concerns as “baseless,” affirming his commitment to remain the nominee. The Washington Post reported that Obama privately expressed doubts about Biden’s chances, though Obama’s spokespersons declined to comment.

Rumors have circulated that senior Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries, and Chuck Schumer, advised Biden to reconsider his candidacy for the party’s sake. All have publicly denied these reports. However, a senior Democrat source described the mood in Washington as grim, anticipating an “inevitable decision.”

Adam Smith, a Democratic congressman from Washington state, echoed this sentiment on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight, suggesting the party might be nearing the end of Biden’s candidacy.

Biden has been in isolation in Delaware, recovering from a Covid infection, following a poor performance in the first presidential debate last month. In contrast, Donald Trump officially accepted his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, exuding confidence after surviving an assassination attempt.

Biden has taken a defiant stance against calls to step aside, maintaining the public support of many politicians, including the Congressional Black Caucus. Schumer and Jeffries have denied urging Biden to step down, despite reports to the contrary.

CNN reported that Pelosi told Biden he couldn’t win, but she later dismissed the reports as a “feeding frenzy” without denying the conversation took place. Congressman Jamie Raskin likened Biden to a retiring baseball pitcher, suggesting there was “no shame” in stepping down.

Biden campaign senior adviser TJ Ducklo and Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks dismissed the concerns as “baseless conjecture,” reiterating Biden’s commitment to running for re-election.

The White House stated that Biden, experiencing mild Covid symptoms, is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next Wednesday.