Biden’s Physician Deems Him ‘Fit For Duty,’ No Cognitive Test Conducted
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Joe Biden’s physician deemed him physically fit for the duties of the presidency, but no cognitive assessment was conducted.
Details: Biden's recent physical examination concluded that the 81-year-old president was in good health - an “active, robust 81-year-old male, who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.” The examination found no evidence of a stroke or Parkinson's.
For Context: Biden's age and potential cognitive issues have been a cause for concern and speculation for some time now. A recent special counsel’s report described Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” The examination’s lack of a cognitive assessment led to pushback from right-rated voices. 2024 GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that all presidential candidates should take a cognitive test. Trump used the opportunity to claim his fitness for another term in office, highlighting that he had successfully completed the cognitive tests twice during his presidency. Former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) remarked that Biden's latest physical was a “complete joke” for the omission of a cognitive exam
How The Media Covered It: Concerns over Biden’s age and cognitive ability were widespread across outlets with varying biases. The Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) focused coverage on Representative Ronny Jackson's remarks on the omission of a cognitive exam. The Daily Beast (Left bias) focused on the physician’s assessment that Biden is “fit for duty,” while also acknowledging the absence of a cognitive evaluation and relating it to Republicans’ criticisms. This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
White House Doctor Says Joe Biden Is ‘Fit for Duty’
A doctor who conducted President Joe Biden’s annual physical examination wrote in a memo Wednesday that the president remains “fit for duty” and is a “healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male.”
Dr. Kevin O’Connor wrote that the president had no significant changes in health from his last physical exam, conducted last year. It said Biden noted he’d suffered from some discomfort in his left hip, and a check revealed “mild arthritic changes.”
The memo said an “extremely detailed neurological exam” was performed, which revealed no findings consistent with disorders like a...
From the Center
Biden 'fit for duty' after medical, says doctor
Joe Biden's doctor says he is "fit for duty" and "no new concerns" have been identified after the US president's annual medical examination.
Mr Biden, whose health has been under scrutiny ahead of November's presidential election, underwent the assessment on Wednesday.
White House physician Dr Kevin O'Connor said that Mr Biden "fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations".
"Everything's great," Mr Biden said.
The 81-year-old president received the physical at a military hospital in Maryland and declared himself "squared away" after the appointment.
He said the...
From the Right
Jackson slams Biden physical for leaving out mental status exam: ‘Complete joke’
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) blasted President Joe Biden’s latest physical, calling it a “complete joke.”
The former White House physician appeared on Hannity and explained that a portion of the typical neurological exam was not included.
“This whole report is absolutely ridiculous,” Jackson said. “It’s nothing more than the White House’s effort to check the box and hope we’ll move on from this.”
Jackson also slammed White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who has defended Biden’s cognitive ability as being daily on display.
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