Joe Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, affirmed the president’s excellent mental health following reports of his decision not to seek reelection. Despite speculation and concerns about Biden’s age, O’Connor stated that Biden’s mental cognition is “excellent” and that a cognitive test is unnecessary as he is “here every day.” He also refuted rumors of potential Parkinson’s disease, stating that Biden is “good.”
O’Connor’s comments came after reports suggested a Parkinson’s expert visited the White House multiple times, including a meeting with Biden’s physician, sparking speculation about the president’s health. However, the White House denied any connection between the visits and treatment for Parkinson’s.
Biden’s decision to not run for reelection followed a widely-criticized debate performance that raised concerns about his mental acuity and age. This made him the first US president to withdraw from a race so late and the first to do so based on health concerns. He has now endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, who is the first woman to hold the position and will be nominated at the Democratic National Convention in August.