In a recent meeting with Democratic governors at the White House, President Joe Biden shared his plan to stop scheduling events after 8 p.m. in order to ensure he gets more sleep, according to sources familiar with the conversation. The 81-year-old president's remarks, reported by The New York Times, were aimed at reassuring the governors about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump and effectively govern for another four years.

However, Biden's comment left some of the governors frustrated, leading to concerns about their loyalty and enthusiasm for his campaign. As a result, the Biden campaign has faced criticism from participants in the meeting. The White House has yet to comment on the president's statement.

A campaign aide defended Biden's schedule, highlighting that in addition to campaign work, he was engaged in hours of official work and debate preparation after his recent trips to Europe. The aide emphasized the president's commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities.

During the meeting, Biden also attempted to add humor by joking, "I'm fine - I don't know about my brain, though." According to Jen O'Malley Dillon, Biden's campaign chairwoman, the president's comment was intended as a light-hearted joke.

Since his underwhelming performance at the CNN presidential debate, some Democrats have started voicing concerns about Biden's ability to continue running for the presidency. This has prompted the White House to work fervently to gain support within the party and reassure voters.

Following the meeting, Governors Wes Moore of Maryland, Kathy Hochul of New York, and Tim Walz of Minnesota portrayed a positive picture of the discussions, expressing their confidence in Biden's commitment to the race. Walz dismissed concerns about the president's age and health, stating that Biden is "fit for office."

Questions about Biden's age and health have persisted for years, and were amplified during the debate where Biden appeared hoarse and at times unintelligible. This led to a perception that Trump, who is only three years younger than Biden, seemed more physically fit. A CNN poll indicated that a majority of debate watchers believed Trump to be the winner.

The debate performance served as a catalyst for increased scrutiny of Biden's health and mental fitness. Reports from The New York Times indicated "lapses" in Biden's mental capabilities, with sources suggesting a decline in his mental sharpness. The Times also reported that Biden's pre-debate preparations started late in the day at Camp David, with time allocated for napping.

When questioned about Biden's sleep schedule during a press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre evaded a direct answer but cited jet lag and travel fatigue as potential factors contributing to the president's poor debate performance, after initially attributing it to a cold.

With mounting pressure to consider stepping down and concerns about his ability to serve another term, Biden reportedly recognizes the critical nature of the upcoming days in determining the future of his reelection bid.

As the debate about his age and health continues, President Biden faces the challenge of convincing skeptics within his party and reassures voters of his capacity to lead for another four years.