President Joe Biden revealed that he saw a physician after a debate with former President Donald Trump, conflicting with earlier statements by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
This statement has sparked new discussions about President Biden's health and capability to run for re-election, with some opining that his condition may be worse than anyone in his inner circle has revealed, as the Daily Wire reports.
In a private meeting with over 20 Democratic governors, President Biden admitted that he consulted a doctor after the debate with Donald Trump. This information was shared by three individuals familiar with the meeting, indicating that Biden was evaluated and cleared by his doctor.
During a recent White House press briefing, however, Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that President Biden had not seen a doctor since his annual physical in February. This was in response to CNN senior White House correspondent MJ Lee’s question about Biden's medical exams.
Lee asked Jean-Pierre if Biden had any medical examination, to which Jean-Pierre categorically replied, “No.” This response fueled curiosity and concern regarding the president’s healthcare following his debate performance.
Despite Jean-Pierre's initial comments, White House spokesman Andrew Bates later confirmed that Biden received a brief medical examination after the debate. According to Bates, the check-up was to assess a cold and confirm that Biden was recovering well. Bates emphasized that this exam was not a full physical, but rather a quick health check.
Biden, addressing the issue on a Wisconsin radio station, acknowledged his subpar debate performance, urging the electorate to consider his accomplishments in office. He admitted to having a "bad night" during the debate but emphasized the significant progress achieved in his administration over the past three and a half years.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump criticized Biden's debate performance harshly. In a leaked video, Trump referred to Biden disparagingly, suggesting that the president might withdraw from the race due to his performance and declining abilities.
Trump seized this moment to highlight what he perceives as Biden's cognitive decline, predicting that Biden would struggle to recover from the debate.
The contrasting narratives from the White House and President Biden have raised eyebrows. Jean-Pierre maintained during the press conference that Biden had not undergone any medical check-ups post his annual physical. Yet, private admissions from Biden and confirmations from Bates suggest otherwise.
President Biden’s mixed messages came at a critical time, with some Democrats expressing concerns over his endurance and ability to lead another election campaign. This has prompted further scrutiny of Biden's overall health and his capacity to continue as a candidate.
In a recent radio interview, Biden redirected focus from his debate performance to his presidential accomplishments. He highlighted his leadership in reviving the economy, a pivotal point as he continues to persuade the public and party members of his suitability for re-election.
Amid these revelations, the conversation within the Democratic Party is intensifying. This internal debate underscores the broader challenge faced by Biden as he aims to secure his position in the upcoming election cycle.
A recent poll shows that former First Lady Michelle Obama would decisively win against former President Donald Trump.
As the New York Post reported, the Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates Michelle Obama outperforms other Democratic candidates, including President Biden, in a hypothetical match against Trump.
According to the poll released on Tuesday, Obama would triumph over Trump by 11 percentage points. The survey, conducted between July 1-2, reveals that 50% of registered voters would support Obama in contrast to 39% for Trump.
Meanwhile, other Democratic figures, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, do not fare as well against the ex-president.
Biden, who has been actively campaigning for reelection, finds himself in a tie with Trump at 40% each, according to the same survey. Trump holds a one-point edge over Harris, leading 43% to 42%.
Additionally, Trump would also emerge victorious in matchups against Democratic governors like Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois.
Michelle Obama has distanced herself from the Biden administration's reelection efforts and has made no public indications of running for office. She has maintained close personal relationships, notably with Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, while expressing displeasure at Buhle's exclusion by the first family.
Despite her favorable polling, the former first lady has chosen not to lend her support to the reelection campaign. In a 2022 interview, she explicitly refrained from endorsing Biden’s candidacy.
Conversely, former President Barack Obama has been more involved, appearing at fundraisers for Biden during the 2024 election cycle and supporting him after a lackluster debate against Trump.
Barack Obama has urged Democrats to back Biden despite his subpar debate performance on June 27. Publicly, he simply remarked the performance was "bad." However, privately, he has voiced doubts about President Biden's chances of securing victory, having questioned his capabilities since his 2020 presidential bid.
On Wednesday, President Biden reassured his campaign staff of his intent to remain in the race, even as he acknowledged concerns over his declining poll numbers. Biden's team remains optimistic about the campaign despite the hurdles highlighted by the recent poll results.
Michelle Obama’s hypothetical candidacy highlights a significant figure in the Democratic Party who remains a formidable presence despite her lack of political aspirations. With a notable margin of support, she remains a beacon for many within the party, seen as a potential unifier and strong candidate.
In conclusion, a Reuters/Ipsos poll underscores Michelle Obama’s theoretical lead over Trump by a noteworthy margin. Biden, while contending with static poll numbers and internal party hesitations, faces a competitive reelection campaign. Despite maintaining a distance from the Biden administration, Michelle Obama’s enduring popularity reflects a significant facet of the Democratic Party's potential strategies.
According to Breitbart News, President Biden's frequent napping and signs of fatigue have led to public concern about his cognitive health and multiple leaks from his campaign.
Biden, 81, took naps each of the six days allocated for his debate preparation, which never began before 11:00 a.m. Reports from a New York Times source reveal that the president's "lapses" have become more frequent and worrisome.
The recent leaks from his campaign have exacerbated an already tense situation. Biden's advisors are increasingly alarmed following a poor debate performance and subsequent calls for him to withdraw from the race.
Two negative reports about Biden's cognitive and physical performance were released on Tuesday. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates dismissed both reports as unfounded.
Biden's fatigue may be attributed to his recent international travels. He admitted that back-to-back trips to Europe affected his rest, necessitating the shortening of his debate prep by two days.
The president's extensive travel schedule has been notably demanding. Within 23 days of the debate against former President Donald J. Trump, Biden traveled extensively, including a trip from Italy to California for a fundraiser.
Distressing moments for Biden were observed by advisors and allies alike. At a D-Day ceremony in France on June 6, Biden appeared disoriented, further fueling concerns regarding his health.
More instances of confusion have amplified the scrutiny over Biden’s cognitive health. On June 7, he misstated the purpose of military aid to Ukraine and appeared to freeze during a Juneteenth celebration on June 10.
During an immigration event on June 18, Biden struggled to remember the name of Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security. These incidents have left Biden’s advisors "shaken up."
A CBS News/YouGov poll from Tuesday shows that 72% of registered voters doubt Biden's mental and cognitive capacity for the presidency. This sentiment has been echoed within the campaign.
Special Counsel Robert Hur depicted Biden as "an elderly man with a poor memory." The president’s health concerns are compounded by conditions such as atrial fibrillation, peripheral neuropathy in his feet, and hyperlipidemia.
Biden’s physical struggles have become apparent over his term, with at least five documented incidents of stumbling. Observers have noted his reliance on multiple aides while walking to and from Marine One.
As public scrutiny mounts and internal frustration grows, concerns about President Biden's ability to effectively campaign and govern continue to intensify. His recent debate struggles and travels have only added to the persistent debate surrounding his cognitive health.