White House physician Kevin O’Connor released a memo on Thursday, stating that Joe Biden is in good physical condition and remains capable of serving as President of the United States. However, many observers, including Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), who served as White House physician under former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, criticized the exam for not including a cognitive test.
In the memo, Dr. O’Connor reported that Biden was being treated for non-valvular atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux, seasonal allergies, peripheral neuropathy of feet, and a stiffened gait. The president’s medications include Eliquis, Crestor, Dymista, Allegra, and Pepcid.
Yep…. It’s missing from. Biden’s physical check up today. No Cognitive test results. Well, wouldn’t you just know it. 🤔
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) February 17, 2023
Following the memo’s release, medical experts raised questions about the president’s mental status, including how he performed on his “mini-mental status exam.” Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a family and emergency medical professional and Fox News contributor, said the job of the presidency is the most demanding position in the world. She said the leader of the free world must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable, especially in making decisions regarding life and death and the overall health, safety, and well-being of the nation.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News contributor, pointed out that the president’s “stiff gait” is sometimes a sign of cognitive problems. The explanation for the stiff gait in Biden’s physical exam was attributed to “peripheral neuropathy, meaning loss of sensation in his feet,” but doctors “don’t know where that’s coming from.”
Dr. Siegel criticized the memo for not including a full battery of testing, stating that “this physical exam is more significant for what it leaves out than what it actually tells us.”
WHY ON EARTH did Biden not get a cognitive exam? Trump had one, why not him? Biden’s ability to think and reason is GONE! He SHOULD NOT be President!!
— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) February 16, 2023
Jackson meanwhile expressed his concerns on Twitter, asking why the president did not undergo a cognitive test. He called the exam a “joke” and accused the administration of covering up the president’s cognitive decline. He added: “WHY ON EARTH did Biden not get a cognitive exam? Trump had one, why not him? Biden’s ability to think and reason is GONE! He SHOULD NOT be President!!”
Nevertheless, Nesheiwat said Biden’s exam results were “typical of an 80-year-old.”
As the oldest sitting president in the nation’s history, unanswered questions about Biden’s mental capacity will remain persistent. As a result, some medical experts have called for all federal elected officials over 75 to take a cognitive mental test before assuming office.
