"Does he have Parkinson's?" - White House defends itself against rumors about Biden's state of health
At least since his TV debate against Republican challenger Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden has had to address questions about his mental fitness. The White House press secretary attempted to quell speculation about a possible Parkinson's disease diagnosis for Biden. "Has the president been treated for Parkinson's? No. Is he being treated for Parkinson's? No, he isn't. Does he take medication for Parkinson's disease? No," said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday to journalists.
Background is a report by the "New York Times," which stated that a Parkinson's specialist regularly visits the White House. Later on Monday, the White House released a letter from Biden's personal doctor, Kevin O'Connor. In the letter, the doctor wrote that Biden, aside from his triennial check-ups, had not seen any neurologists.
There is discussion in the US about whether Biden, due to his advanced age, is the right Democratic presidential candidate for the November election.
Joe Biden refuses cognitive health test
Parkinson's is a nervous system disorder that primarily affects older adults. Cause of the condition, also known as tremors, is the death of nerve cells in the brain. They then no longer produce dopamine, with which the body normally controls movements. Various disturbances result: tremors, tense muscles, as well as gait and balance disorders. In addition, a quiet and monotonous speech and a rigid facial expression are common.
Biden dismisses all doubts and rumors. He refuses a cognitive health test to assess his mental abilities. His spokesperson Jean-Pierre reiterated this again. The current step of the White House is unusual and shows how great the pressure has become.
White House justifies doctor visits
There was an heated debate between the attending journalists and journalists and Biden's spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, during the daily press conference at the White House. Jean-Pierre refused to make any statements about why neurologist Kevin Cannard had regularly visited the White House in the past months. The "New York Times" reported, citing official visitor protocols, that Cannard had visited the government headquarters eight times since the previous summer.
Dr. Kevin Cannard is the neurological specialist who examines President Biden for his annual health checks, wrote Biden's doctor, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, in a letter released by the White House. Cannard was not selected because he is a specialist for movement disorders, but because he is "a highly qualified and respected neurologist." His "broad expertise" gives him the flexibility to evaluate a wide range of patients and problems.
Biden's doctor O'Connor further wrote that the results of the neurological examination by Cannard have always been made public. At the end of February, it was stated in the publicly released health report that there were no signs of possible strokes or Parkinson's disease in Biden and that he did not show any tremors. "President Biden has not seen any neurologists outside of his annual check-ups," wrote O'Connor further. Cannard has been the neurological advisor to the medical unit at the White House since 2012.
This section of the White House is responsible for the medical needs of the President, staff, and visitors of the White House. Cannard holds regular appointments there. "Seeing patients at the White House is something that Dr. Cannard has been doing for over a decade," he stated on Monday (local time) in an interview with the conservative network Fox News. To protect the privacy of the patients, the names of the experts are usually not disclosed. However, an exception is being made in this case.
Trump believes Biden will continue in the race
Despite the TV debacle and health rumors, Biden's challenger Donald Trump believes that the US President will remain in the race for the White House. "It looks to me like he could very well (stay in the race)," Trump said on Monday (EST) in an interview with the conservative broadcaster Fox News. Biden has "an ego and he doesn't want to quit," the Republican added in his first interview since the TV duel with Biden at the end of June.
Biden has been confronted with an increasingly heated debate in the Democratic Party about his mental fitness for the presidency since his disastrous performance in the TV duel with Trump. However, according to his own statements, he is "determined" to stay in the presidential race.
- Amidst speculations about his mental health, US President Joe Biden refused a cognitive health test, as confirmed by his spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
- During a press conference, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to discuss the regular visits of neurologist Kevin Cannard to the White House, who examines Biden for his annual health checks.
- In response to questions about the visits, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's personal doctor, clarified that Dr. Kevin Cannard, a highly qualified and respected neurologist, is chosen for his broad expertise and has been the neurological advisor to the medical unit at the White House since 2012.
