On Friday, the day before his 79th birthday, President Joe Biden will receive his first routine physical since taking office. Former White House doctor urges cognitive testing, as over half of voters say his age is interfering with his job.
Biden to receive routine physical on the eve of 79th birthday
President Joe Biden turns 79 on Saturday. Biden will receive his first physical exam as president at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
“Later this morning, the President will travel to Walter Reed Medical Center for his routine annual physical,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in an early statement on Friday. “We will provide more details after he arrives at Walter Reed.”
The latest medical reports on Biden were those released by his campaign and a physical and medical report in December 2019. The 3-page summary declared Biden “a healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.” The report also revealed Biden was receiving treatment for four different conditions: non-valvular atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux and seasonal allergies.
In terms of the past medical history of note, Biden suffered two cranial aneurysms in 1988.
New poll: Majority of voters think Biden’s age affecting his job performance
Since the beginning of Biden’s presidential campaign, when he was then 77, the question of his age and his ability to handle the rigors of office has been continually raised. At age 78, ABC reported that Biden became the oldest person ever to assume the United States presidency.
“The only thing I can say is watch,” Biden told voters during the 2020 campaign. “Watch! Check my energy level. Determine whether I know what I’m talking about.”
Americans have been watching and, now, most voters think Biden’s age is having an impact on his ability to serve the country.
On Thursday, a new poll released by Fox of registered American voters found that 53% believe that President Biden’s age is interfering with his job, including over one-quarter of Democrats and half of the seniors.
Former White House Doctor who served two presidents questions Biden’s cognition urges testing
Ronny Jackson, a former Navy Admiral and White House doctor under Obama and Trump, who is now a Republican representative for Texas, believes President Biden is showing a poor mental state and should take a cognitive test. He and 13 other GOP lawmakers signed a letter in June 2021 calling on Biden to be tested, The Hill reported.
During an interview with Hannity, Jackson said he did not believe Biden would perform well on a cognitive test.
