Top Democratic fundraiser Clooney calls on Biden to drop out

Mrs Pelosi, still one of the most powerful Democrats on Capitol Hill, on Wednesday appeared to disregard Mr Biden's insistence that he was determined to continue.

When asked if he should stay in the election race, she told MSNBC's Morning Joe: "I want him to do whatever he decides to do."

"It's up to the president to decide if he's going to run. We are all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short."

A Biden campaign spokesperson referred to Mrs Pelosi's comments on Tuesday, in which she said that she had "always been committed" to the president.

Around a dozen elected Democrats have suggested he abandon his campaign since his 27 June debate with Trump.

On Tuesday, Michael Bennet of Colorado became the first Democratic senator to publicly dissent.

Although he did not call for Mr Biden to quit outright, he said Trump would win the election, possibly by a "landslide".

When asked about Mr Bennet's comments, the Biden campaign repeated the president's statement that he was "running this race to the end".

Others have been more direct. Mikie Sherril, a congressman for North Jersey, said in a statement: "I am asking that he declare that he won’t run for re-election."

Acknowledging the demands on the president, Ms Pelosi told MSNBC: "I said to everyone - let's just hold off.

"Whatever you're thinking, either tell somebody privately, but you don't have to put that out on the table until we see how we go this week. But I am very proud of the president."

Pat Ryan, a congressman from New York, later wrote on X: “For the good of our country, for my two young kids, I’m asking Joe Biden to step aside."

Overall support from elected Democrats remains robust, however.

Gavin Newsom, the California governor who was named by Clooney as a potential replacement, said he was still “all in” with Mr Biden.

The Congressional Black Caucus, a group of roughly 60 politicians, and newer House members like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, have publicly backed him.

On Tuesday, Chuck Schumer, the leading Democrat in the Senate, said: "I'm with Joe."