The New York Times is reporting that Biden told a ‘key ally’ that he is considering whether to say in the race for president and that if he doesn’t do well in his next two events, he may well be ‘in a different place’.

Here’s the report:

President Biden has told a key ally that he knows he may not be able to salvage his candidacy if he cannot convince the public in the coming days that he is up for the job after a disastrous debate performance last week.

The president, who the ally emphasized is still deeply in the fight for re-election, understands that his next few appearances heading into the holiday weekend — including an interview scheduled for Friday with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News and campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — must go well.

“He knows if he has two more events like that, we’re in a different place” by the end of the weekend, said the ally, referring to Mr. Biden’s halting and unfocused performance in the debate. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation.

After the article published, Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, said it was “absolutely false.”

The conversation is the first indication to become public that the president is seriously considering whether he can recover after a devastating performance on the debate stage in Atlanta on Thursday. Concerns are mounting about his viability as a candidate and whether he could serve as president for another four years.

A top adviser to Mr. Biden, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the situation, said the president was “well aware of the political challenge he faces.”

White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

I don’t know if I believe this is true. I mean, it sounds reasonable considering the tremendous pressure being put on Biden since the debate. But at the same time I could see the New York Times lying about this if they thought it might create more doubt about Biden, especially if he’s doubting himself, and push him to drop out.

Biden cares about his legacy and he’s also the linchpin in his family’s criminal enterprise. Once he’s gone, his family’s chances for big money dry up. His best chance for all of this is to stay in the race.