The White House clarified on Tuesday that President Biden consulted Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist, on January 17 as part of his annual physical exam.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre signaled to reporters during Tuesday’s daily press briefing that the January meeting was not part of Biden’s physical examination, but later confirmed that it was.
“As the date was not mentioned in the question, I want to make it clear that January 17ththThe meeting between Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Cannard was for the president’s physical examination,” Jean-Pierre said in an emailed statement.
“It was one of three times the president saw Dr. Cannard, each time for a physical examination,” she added. “The findings of each examination were released to the public.”
Jean-Pierre first sent the statement to The Associated Press in response to a question from them at Tuesday’s briefing. She proactively followed up with the news outlet to voluntarily provide the information, according to the White House.
The Jan. 17 meeting was the only time the neurologist and O’Connor, Biden’s personal physician, met at the White House in the period between last summer and spring this year, when Cannard visited the complex eight times.
The White House faced rounds of questions Monday and Tuesday about Cannard’s visits. Jean-Pierre was adamant on Monday not to name him, citing privacy and security concerns, and so O’Connor released a letter on Monday night with more information about the neurologist’s visits.
Questions about the president’s mental acuity and whether he will be able to hold office for another four years have become common after his poor performance in the June 27 debate. During the forum with former President Trump, Biden spoke in a soft, husky voice, appeared to lack energy and often had difficulty completing sentences.
The incumbent defended his health during his first post-debate interview last week with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, calling it just “a bad night.”
“It was a bad episode. No indication of any serious condition. I was exhausted,” Biden said. “I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparation and — and a bad night.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
