Concerns over Biden’s health extend beyond cancer. Jeffrey Kuhlman, a former physician to Barack Obama, said Biden should have undergone cognitive testing during his final year as president. The most recent report from White House physician Kevin O’Connor, issued in February 2024 when Biden was 81, included no such evaluation.
Kuhlman stressed that assessing a president’s fitness should consider mental and emotional capacity in addition to physical health. Cognitive testing could have provided voters a clearer understanding of Biden’s ability to handle the demands of the presidency.
A recent book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson portrays Biden as well-intentioned but showing signs of forgetfulness, incoherence, and fatigue. According to the book, O’Connor reportedly hesitated to administer cognitive testing, despite neurological evaluations for conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Last week, Biden addressed questions about his health and his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race with a sarcastic remark. Speaking at a Memorial Day event, he quipped about his mental and physical capabilities while referencing the authors of the recent book.
These revelations have sparked renewed debate over presidential health, transparency, and the importance of both physical and cognitive fitness for the nation’s highest office.
