In a heated briefing room exchange, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre firmly denied that President Joe Biden is being treated for Parkinson’s disease. This statement comes after reports surfaced that a Parkinson’s specialist had visited the White House multiple times over the past eight months, fueling concerns about the 81-year-old president’s health.
“Has the president been treated for Parkinson’s? No. Is he being treated for Parkinson’s? No. He’s not. Is he taking medication for Parkinson’s? No,” Jean-Pierre stated during the exchange with members of the press. The White House clarified that various specialists from the Walter Reed system frequently visit the White House to treat military personnel working on the grounds, suggesting the Parkinson’s specialist’s visits were routine and unrelated to the president’s health.
Concerns about Biden’s health intensified following his first presidential debate, which was widely criticized. In an interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Biden attributed his poor debate performance to a cold, calling it a “bad night.” He also declined to commit to an independent cognitive test, stating, “Every day I have that test. Everything I do.”
A recent report from The New York Times titled “Biden’s Lapses Are Said to Be Increasingly Common and Worrisome” has added to the speculation. The report claims that individuals close to the president have noticed him becoming more frequently confused and disoriented. “People who have spent time with President Biden over the last few months or so said the lapses appear to have grown more frequent,” the report reads. “[C]urrent and former officials and others who encountered him behind closed doors noticed that he increasingly appeared confused or listless, or would lose the thread of conversations.”
The White House continues to assert that the president is in good health, attempting to dispel rumors and reassure the public. However, the ongoing scrutiny of Biden’s health remains a significant issue as he continues his presidency.