Lawrence O’Donnell criticizes media for chaotic White House briefing.
Lawrence O’Donnell, from MSNBC’s “The Last Word,” took a stand against the White House press corps on Monday, expressing strong disapproval of their behavior during a recent press briefing. The press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, faced a barrage of questions about a neurologist’s frequent visits to the White House, sparking controversy and speculation among reporters.
The uproar began after The New York Times revealed that a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease had visited the White House eight times in the months leading up to spring. Despite the visitor log entries, Jean-Pierre clarified that President Biden was not receiving treatment for any neurodegenerative conditions. However, she refrained from elaborating on the purpose of the neurologist’s visits, leading to frustration among some members of the press.
In response to the mounting queries, the White House released a letter from Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, shedding light on the situation. The letter explained that the neurologist, Dr. Kevin Cannard, had been serving as a consultant to the White House Medical Unit for over a decade. Dr. Cannard conducted neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic to support the active-duty members assigned to White House operations.
O’Connor emphasized that the disclosure of this information was a deviation from the usual protocol, done with Dr. Cannard’s consent, to ensure accuracy and transparency. He stated that Dr. Cannard had only examined Biden during his annual physicals, as documented in his medical reports, and that Biden had not sought neurology consultation outside of these scheduled check-ups.
Despite the efforts to provide clarity on the matter, Lawrence O’Donnell criticized The New York Times for its portrayal of Jean-Pierre’s responses as evasive. O’Donnell argued that she was navigating sensitive medical inquiries within the boundaries of patient privacy.
He also drew attention to the contrasting approach of the Trump administration, highlighting the lack of transparency regarding visitor logs during that presidency. O’Donnell emphasized that the Biden administration’s commitment to disclosure led to the revelation of Dr. Cannard’s visits, a transparency that was absent during the previous administration.
Biden’s health has been under intense scrutiny, particularly after questions arose regarding his performance during the June 27 presidential debate. The ongoing debate surrounding his health and fitness for the 2024 election continues to fuel speculation and debate both within the press and among the public.
