White House says Biden does not have Alzheimer’s but claims cognitive test ‘not warranted’ – Washington Examiner

President Joe Biden will not take a cognitive and does not have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the White House said Tuesday.

Biden’s candidacy has been in limbo since his halting, fumbling performance in last week’s presidential debate, leading to open discussion about replacing him on the Democratic ticket and questions about his mental state generally.

“Has there been any consideration given to releasing a more robust set of medical records or something to show his mental acuity?” a reporter asked during the afternoon news briefing.

“His team has said it is not warranted in this case,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded. “We have put forward a thorough, transparent annual report on his health. So they have said that is not warranted. It is not necessary.”

Jean-Pierre repeatedly pointed back to a February report issued by Biden’s personal physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, which found that the president “continues to be fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”

Several reporters asked if a new test or physical was necessary following what happened at the debate, and the press secretary told them the answer was no.

“The president has regular annual physicals that we release,” she said. “And a thorough report. We’re going to continue to do that.”

Backstage chatter among Democrats has begun to leak out into the open, with Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) calling for Biden to leave the race and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) predicting that former President Donald Trump will win.

Jean-Pierre pushed back against the notion that Biden should be tested again by a doctor, saying O’Connor traveled with him to the debate in Atlanta and that he didn’t feel a new test was necessary. She also said February “wasn’t too long ago. It was indeed this year.”

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Another reporter asked if Biden, 81, has Alzheimer’s, dementia, or any other form of degenerative illness that might cause mental lapses.

“I have an answer for you: Are you ready for it?” Jean-Pierre responded. “It’s a no. And I hope you’re asking the other guy the same exact question.”

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