The White House suggested on Monday that President Joe Biden will not take a cognitive test during his yearly physical exam — despite overwhelming skepticism from voters that he has the mental fitness needed to serve a second term.
The news comes after Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded last week in his criminal investigation into Biden’s handling of classified material that Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials,” but no criminal charges were warranted, adding that prosecutors “also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury…as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday that Biden will have a his yearly physical exam, although she was unsure of the exact timeline.
When asked if he would be taking a “cognitive test” as part of his physical, she said that Dr. Kevin O’Connor believes that Biden “proves every day how he operates, how he thinks by dealing with world leaders, by making really difficult decisions on behalf of the — the American people, whether it’s domestic, whether it’s national security.”
“And so, he shows it every day on how he thinks, how he operates,” she continued. “And so, that is how — that is how Dr. O’Connor sees it. And that’s how I’m going to leave it.”
Polling has shown that the 86% of Americans believe Biden, who has not taken a cognitive test since being in office, is too old to be president again, while 76% have concerns about his mental fitness.
WATCH:
REPORTER: "Any updates on when the president's physical might be taking place?"
KJP: "He will have a physical. When we have information on that, we'll certainly share that with you. We'll be transparent."
REPORTER: What about a cognitive exam?
KJP: "The president proves… pic.twitter.com/4GZr4inA2H
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 12, 2024