Washington The White House released the letter from Biden’s physician on Monday night after press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was repeatedly asked at a press conference earlier in the day about Biden’s health and whether the president had been involved in a visit to the White House by a Parkinson’s disease specialist.
Dr. Kevin Canard, a Parkinson’s disease expert, visited the White House eight times between last summer and this spring, according to White House visitor records first reported by the New York Post and The New York Times, including at least one meeting with Biden’s physician.
Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday afternoon that the president is not receiving treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
“Has the President ever been treated for Parkinson’s disease? No. Is he receiving treatment for Parkinson’s disease? No. Is he taking medication for Parkinson’s disease? No,” she said.
But at the time, a spokesman refused to allow a doctor to visit, citing “security reasons.”
That led to some tense exchanges between Jean-Pierre and reporters, as the president has remained firm in his response to critics who have called for him to call off his reelection campaign after a disastrous election campaign. Debate Performance On June 27, to former President Donald Trump.
“You’re not answering very basic, direct questions about a doctor’s visit,” CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe told Jean-Pierre.
“The president sees a neurologist every year during his physical,” she said, “so that’s three times.”
“The White House or Walter Reed?” O’Keefe asked, referring to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where the president typically gets his annual physical. Biden I will have a medical checkup in February..
“That’s what I want to tell you. Every time he had a checkup, he had to see a neurologist. That’s the answer to that question,” Jean-Pierre said.
“Did Dr. Kevin Canard come to the White House because he was concerned about the President’s condition?” O’Keefe asked again.
“For security reasons we cannot publish their names,” the spokesman said. “The names of specialists, from dermatologists to neurologists, cannot be made public.”
CBS News noted that the visit is public information, but Jean-Pierre said he could not confirm the visit because he “has to maintain privacy.”
“No matter how much they blame me, no matter how angry they are at me, I’m not going to give my name, I don’t care if it’s even on the record,” she said. “It’s inappropriate. It’s unacceptable. So I’m not going to do it.”
On Monday night, the White House released a memo from the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, in which he said he had received permission from President Biden and Dr. Canard to share the details.
“Dr. Cannard was the neurologist who examined President Biden during his annual physical. His findings have been made public whenever I release the results of the President’s annual physical. President Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physicals,” O’Connor wrote, noting that Cannard has served as a neurology consultant to the White House Medical Unit since 2012.
“Results This year’s exam She detailed the situation in a letter dated Feb. 28. “We are again reassured that a very thorough neurological examination revealed no findings consistent with cerebellar or other central nervous system disease, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or ascending lateral sclerosis,” O’Connor wrote.
O’Connor also said Cannard regularly visits the White House Medical Unit “to support the thousands of active-duty military members who support the operation of the White House,” many of whom experience service-related neurological issues, and Dr. Cannard regularly visits the White House Medical Unit as part of his general neurology practice.
The president is adamant that he will continue with the campaign and has gone on the offensive in recent days.
Since the debate, Biden has participated in several debates, trying to prove he can handle the job for the next four years. interview, Campaign Event and Outreach Activities He contacted prominent Democrats and donors to shore up support.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Biden said Monday in a phone interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t absolutely believe I was the best candidate to beat Donald Trump in 2024. Voters spoke loud and clear during the Democratic nomination process.”
“I am honored to be recognized as a member of the Democratic Party of the United States,” Biden wrote in a letter to Democratic lawmakers on Monday.Firmly Determined“He denied continuing his campaign and asked for a discussion on whether there was a way forward to end his campaign.”
First lady Jill Biden, seen as one of the few people who could influence Trump’s decision, echoed Trump’s message during a campaign event in Wilmington, North Carolina.
“Joe has made it very clear that he is going to be all in,” she said. “That is his decision, and I am going to be all in, just as he has always been supportive of my career.”
Several House Democrats They called on him to withdraw from the election.But many lawmakers say they still support the president, and while no Senate Democrats have publicly called on him to resign, some have urged him to do more to show he can get the job done.
Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, one of those hoping to see Biden step down, told CBS News on Monday that “almost every Democrat in the House will breathe a huge sigh of relief” if the president ends his campaign.
“It would be better if we had another candidate,” Smith said. “I believe that in my heart, soul and brain. I’m 100 percent sure of that.”
Recent CBS News Poll The results showed that the race had tipped slightly in former President Donald Trump’s favor after the July 27 debate, with Trump currently leading Biden by three points in battleground states and holding a two-point lead nationally.
