Biden had ‘verbal check-in’ with doctor after White House said he got no checkup for debate cold
by Alex Gangitano - 07/05/24 3:18 PM ET
The White House on Friday said President Biden had a “verbal check-in” with his doctor about the cold he had during the debate, after telling reporters earlier in the week that he did not get a medical exam — and had not had once since his yearly physical in February.
Early into the president’s debate performance, during which he spoke in a soft and raspy voice and often struggled to complete sentences, the White House at the time said Biden had a cold.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had been asked earlier this week if Biden had seen his doctor about the cold, which was blamed on foreign travel, but she said no.
But on Friday, Jean-Pierre changed her response, telling reporters Biden had a “verbal check-in” when asked about reports that surfaced indicating Biden told a group of governors he had a checkup.
“He did have a short verbal check-in in the recent days about his cold. It wasn’t a medical exam or a physical, I want to be super, super clear about that. It was a conversation, and his doctor didn’t think an examination was necessary,” she said.
On Wednesday, Jean-Pierre responded “no” when asked if Biden had any kind of medical exam. She also said “no” when asked if the president had any medical exams since his last annual physical in February.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s lead doctor, released the results of the president’s annual physical in February and said the president is “fit for duty.”
Jean-Pierre also stressed that Biden has medical professionals around him due to his role as president.
“The president has doctors, a medical unit around him 24/7, and that’s not because of this president, that’s all presidents,” she said.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4756812-biden-doctor-verbal-check-in/
