U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to keep fighting on Thursday despite calls for him to bow out of the 2024 election race, saying at an Independence Day celebration at the White House he's "not going anywhere." 

The 81-year-old president, responding to a supporter who told him to "keep up the fight," said, "You got me man. I'm not going anywhere."

Biden's shaky showing at a June 27 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump has sparked questions about his ability to keep up a grueling pace of work for the next 4-1/2 years and calls from some in his party to step aside.

Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading contender to take his place in the November 5 election if Biden were to drop out, Reuters reported citing sources, though his allies believe he can assuage the concerns of voters and donors.

(With input from agencies)