President Biden will not undergo a cognitive test as part of his upcoming physical exam, the White House confirmed Monday.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, does not deem a cognitive test necessary. Jean-Pierre noted that O’Connor believes Biden demonstrates his cognitive ability “every day [in] how he operates and how he thinks.”
Reporters raised questions regarding this decision, citing last week’s report from Special Counsel Robert Hur, which highlighted significant memory issues observed in Biden.
“Does the White House think that the idea of the president taking a cognitive test as a part of this physical is a legitimate idea?” queried a reporter.
“I’m just gonna say what Dr. O’Connor said to me about a year ago when [Biden’s physical] was released,” Jean-Pierre replied. “The president proves every day [in] how he operates and how he thinks, by dealing with world leaders, by making difficult decisions on behalf of the American people – whether it’s domestic or it’s national security.”
“That is how Dr. O’Connor sees it, and that is how I’m going to leave it,” she added.
Jean-Pierre passionately defended Biden when pressed further on the topic, emphasizing her more than a decade-long acquaintance with him and affirming him to be “sharp” and “on top of things.”
“When we have meetings with him and his staff he is constantly pushing us, trying to get more information, and so that has been my experience with this president,” she said.
Recent polling indicates that Biden’s age is a concern for a majority of Americans, including Democrats. A Sunday poll from ABC/Ipsos revealed that 86% of Americans believe Biden is too old to serve another term, with 73% of Democrats sharing this sentiment.
