- White House fights back against doubts on Biden fitness
- In a call to MSNBC the president said he won’t be quitting the race
- Karine Jean-Pierre refuted claims that Biden is suffering from an undisclosed illness – including Parkinson’s disease
- Questions about his mental acuity have intensified since a poor debate performance
White House fights back against doubts on Biden fitness
The White House has dismissed concerns about Joe Biden’s mental fitness, with the 81-year-old president challenging critics to either oppose him or support his candidacy. Biden made a rare call to a cable news show, emphatically stating, “I am not going anywhere.”
At a press conference, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refuted claims that Biden is suffering from an undisclosed illness. Speculation about his health, especially after a lacklustre debate with Donald Trump, has grown. Jean-Pierre denied rumours of Biden being treated for Parkinson’s disease, despite a report about a Parkinson’s expert visiting the White House.
Biden’s doctor clarified that the specialist, Dr. Kevin Cannard, has been a neurology consultant to the White House since 2012. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the Physician to the President, confirmed that Biden’s last physical in February showed no signs of neurological disorders.
In an MSNBC call, Biden dared critics to challenge him at the upcoming convention or unite against Trump. He also sent a letter to Democrats affirming his belief in his ability to defeat the Republican candidate. Despite calls from some Democrats for him to step down, others have shown their support. Biden admitted to mistakes in the last debate but declared that only “the Lord Almighty” could end his campaign.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre discusses Joe Biden’s debate – Video
Press Sec. @K_JeanPierre: President Joe Biden fights day in and day out for the American people. There's a lot at stake right now. We saw that when Roe was overturned. We saw that on January 6. Our democracy and freedoms are at stake. Not only do diplomats and world leaders care… pic.twitter.com/fHnGDl8wOh
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) July 4, 2024