Former White House doctor expresses concerns about President Biden’s mental health.
In an alarming new report, a former White House physician turned Republican lawmaker has raised concerns about President Biden’s mental fitness, labeling it as a matter of “national security.” The Wall Street Journal published an article based on interviews with 45 individuals over several months, highlighting observations that suggest Biden is now slower and experiences fluctuations in his cognitive abilities.
Prior to his tenure in Congress, the spotlight was on Ronny Jackson as the top White House physician for Presidents Obama and Trump, as well as the chief medical adviser for the latter. Jackson’s comments have sparked controversy, with the White House and its supporters dismissing the report as a partisan attack orchestrated by the GOP.
However, Jackson pointed out that the critiques mentioned in the report were not solely from Republicans, indicating that even some Democrats have expressed concerns about Biden’s performance. This disconcerting revelation has led Jackson to hypothesize that a possible political coup against the 81-year-old president might be in the works.
“I think the fact that this information was leaked in such a well-sourced manner suggests that it could be the initial stages of a movement to oust him,” Jackson stated.
Despite the backlash from the White House, Jackson remains steadfast in his assessment of Biden’s cognitive decline. Referring to the lack of response from Biden’s administration to previous concerns raised about his mental health, Jackson expressed skepticism about the efficacy of issuing yet another formal complaint.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates hit back at Jackson’s claims, drawing a comparison between the former White House physician and a fictional character with questionable medical practices from “The Simpsons.” Bates highlighted conflicting statements from various sources emphasizing Biden’s competence and dismissing claims of cognitive decline.
Recent polls have indicated that the president’s age is a significant concern for a portion of the electorate, with a substantial percentage of respondents questioning Biden’s capability to effectively carry out his duties as president. The New York Times/Siena College poll in March found that 61% of respondents who supported Biden in the 2020 election harbored doubts about his age affecting his performance.
Dismissing the allegations made in The Wall Street Journal’s report, Bates reiterated support for Biden’s leadership abilities, citing endorsements from congressional Republicans, foreign leaders, and national security experts. The contention between Jackson’s assertions and the defense put up by Biden’s allies underscores the escalating debate surrounding the president’s mental acuity.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California voiced her support for Biden, denouncing The Wall Street Journal’s report as biased and selective in its portrayal of the president’s capabilities. Pelosi commended Biden for his wisdom, experience, strength, and strategic thinking, values that she claimed were overlooked by the newspaper.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington also criticized the report for its one-sided approach, highlighting Biden’s active engagement in crucial meetings and his ability to foster unity among participants. These testimonials from prominent Democratic figures counter the narrative presented in The Wall Street Journal’s article, portraying Biden in a more positive light.
As the debate over President Biden’s mental fitness intensifies, the conflicting narratives from both sides underscore the polarizing nature of the issue. With concerns about Biden’s cognitive decline intersecting with political maneuvering, the debate is likely to remain a focal point in the public discourse in the coming days.
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