President Joe Biden's performance at the June 27 presidential debate raised questions about his health and fitness for office, given his age and occasional verbal stumbles. The White House initially attributed his disoriented and occasionally incoherent responses to a head cold, jet lag, and inadequate preparation, but Biden's age, 81, has made his health a significant concern for voters ahead of the November election.
Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician, released a statement after the debate, clarifying the president's medical status and addressing concerns about his cognitive health. O'Connor stated that Biden receives comprehensive annual physical exams, which include detailed neurological evaluations. Biden also has regular verbal check-ins with his doctor during his exercise routine.
Regarding the president's cold after the debate, the White House initially stated that he had not undergone a medical examination, but later clarified that a brief verbal check-in had taken place, and no further examination was deemed necessary.
In response to questions about Biden's neurological health, O'Connor confirmed that the president had consulted with a neurologist three times, solely as part of his annual physical exams. The neurologist, Dr. Kevin Cannard, specializes in Parkinson's disease research. Jean-Pierre emphasized that all three consultations were tied to Biden's annual physicals and declined to disclose the locations of these visits, citing security concerns.
O'Connor's statement confirmed that Cannard had been the neurologist who evaluated Biden during his three physicals since taking office. However, he clarified that Cannard's frequent visits to the White House were primarily in his capacity as a specialist attached to the White House Medical Unit, treating various neurological issues among its patients. Cannard had made similar visits during the Obama and Trump administrations.
O'Connor reiterated that Biden's annual physical exams, which included comprehensive neurological assessments, had not detected any signs of neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease. He further stated that Biden had not consulted with any neurologist outside of his annual physical exams.
When asked if Biden would consider releasing his full medical records, Jean-Pierre stated that the president had already shared a detailed medical report, comparable to those provided by former presidents Obama and Bush. She noted that Senator John McCain had released over 1,100 pages of his medical records during his presidential campaign in 2008.
Biden's health and fitness have been the subject of speculation and concern due to his age. While the White House has maintained that the president is healthy and capable of fulfilling his duties, some have questioned whether his age and occasional verbal missteps could affect his performance as president.
