The White House has staunchly defended President Biden’s mental acuity, dismissing concerns raised after his widely-criticized debate performance last week. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre unequivocally stated that President Biden does not suffer from Alzheimer’s or any form of dementia, refuting claims made by some observers.
The debate, which sparked calls from Democrats and media outlets for Biden to withdraw from the election, saw the president stumble over words, lose his train of thought, and exhibit a slow and weak demeanor. These observations fueled anxieties about his age and mental fitness, which have circulated for years.
However, Jean-Pierre firmly denied these concerns, asserting that the administration has no regrets over using the term ‘cheap fakes’ to describe criticisms of Biden’s mental fitness. She explained that the term was taken from the media and used to address what they deemed to be purposefully deceptive edits of videos targeting the president. The Trump campaign, however, has demanded an apology for this phrase, arguing that Biden’s debate performance made the claims of decline undeniable.
While acknowledging that the debate was a ‘bad night’ for Biden, Jean-Pierre stressed the administration’s transparency regarding the president’s health, noting that comprehensive medical reports are released annually. The press conference comes after Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first elected Democratic official to call on Biden to withdraw from the race, citing his poor performance in the debate and lagging poll numbers.
This call for Biden to step aside echoes sentiments expressed by legacy media outlets like the New York Times and Chicago Tribune, as well as other traditional allies of the Democratic party. The debate sparked a heated conversation about Biden’s mental fitness and his ability to serve as president, leaving the nation wondering what the future holds for the current administration and the upcoming election.
