Speculation Surrounds Joe Biden's Health Ahead of Presidential Election
Speculation around the health of Joe Biden, 81, has intensified as the American presidential election approaches. Concerns were reignited following a controversial debate that raised questions about the president's cognitive abilities. Recently, an article from the New York Times revealed that Biden had received visits from a Parkinson's disease expert on several occasions in the past few months.
Numerous Visits from a Specialist
According to the New York Times, Dr. Kevin Cannard, a specialist in movement disorders from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, visited the White House eight times between the summer of 2023 and this spring. These visits were recorded in White House logs, with CNN noting that Dr. Cannard met with the White House physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, on at least one occasion.
White House's Response to Health Concerns
The White House has consistently denied any suspicion of neurodegenerative disease in the president. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden had undergone extensive neurological examinations, which showed no signs of Parkinson's disease or other central neurological disorders. The president's last detailed health check-up in February reported negative results for various neurodegenerative diseases.
Biden's Position and Democratic Party Pressure
Joe Biden has not directly addressed the visits from Dr. Cannard but has acknowledged concerns about his health. He challenged his critics within the Democratic Party to run against him at the Democratic convention in August. Despite some Democratic leaders urging him to step aside, others, including African-American elected officials in the House of Representatives, have expressed their support. The Democratic Party faces a tight timeline for the nomination process, with the election scheduled for November 5.
Public and Media Scrutiny
The release of White House visitor logs has fueled public and media scrutiny. Dr. Cannard's LinkedIn profile indicates he has supported the White House Medical Unit for over 12 years, spanning multiple administrations. The White House has stated that specialists from Walter Reed frequently visit to treat military personnel working there. Despite the mounting pressure, the White House maintains that there is no evidence of Parkinson's disease in Biden and no need for further investigations since his last physical examination.
