Dr. Kevin O’Connor Defends President Biden’s Mental Acuity Amid Resignation Calls

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a rare and unplanned interview, President Joe Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, staunchly defended the president’s mental acuity, labeling it “excellent” amidst increasing calls from Republicans for Biden to resign, according to the information provided in a report that appeared on Thursday in The New York Post.  This impromptu defense marks what may be Dr. O’Connor’s first direct engagement with a news outlet since Biden took office.

The unexpected interaction occurred on the White House driveway as Dr. O’Connor, walking past the press briefing room, was approached by a reporter from The Post. This encounter came just four days after Biden abruptly ended his campaign for a second term, a decision fueled by concerns from fellow Democrats regarding his apparent mental decline. Biden has been observed appearing confused in public on several occasions, leading some medical experts to speculate about the possibility of Parkinson’s or a related condition.

When asked by The Post reporter about Biden’s mental health, Dr. O’Connor, with a confident smile, responded, “It’s excellent.” This assertion aimed to quell the mounting speculations about the president’s cognitive abilities. Despite the gravity of the issue, Dr. O’Connor appeared unflustered and firm in his stance.

The Post reporter continued to press for more information, inquiring whether Dr. O’Connor would address the press directly in the briefing room. “Probably not,” O’Connor replied, underscoring the administration’s stance on maintaining a low profile regarding the president’s health details. This response highlights a notable departure from the practices of previous administrations, where presidential physicians often briefed the press during health crises.

Further questioning touched on the possibility of Dr. O’Connor addressing the media before the end of Biden’s term. “I hope not,” he remarked to The Post reporter, just as he was stopped by a security cordon due to the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. This brief but telling exchange called attention to the tightrope the administration walks between transparency and discretion concerning the president’s health.

The conversation then turned to the specifics of Biden’s mental cognition. “And how is his mental cognition?” the Post reporter asked. “It’s excellent,” Dr. O’Connor reiterated with unwavering assurance. However, when pressed on why a cognitive test had not been performed on the president, Dr. O’Connor did not provide a direct answer, leaving room for continued speculation and concern.

This incident occurred against the backdrop of significant political tension. Biden’s decision to end his re-election campaign has stirred the political landscape, with Republicans seizing the moment to challenge his capability to govern. At the same time, Democrats, concerned about the implications of his apparent mental lapses, had urged him to step aside for the greater good of the party and the nation.

The administration’s handling of Biden’s health issues has been markedly different from past presidencies. Historically, presidential health has been a matter of public record, with medical evaluations and updates regularly shared with the public to maintain transparency and trust. The Biden administration’s more guarded approach has only fueled further scrutiny and speculation.

When asked by The Post reporter as to why there were no cognitive tests performed on the president, Dr. O’Connor confidently asserted, “We don’t need to. He’s here every day.” As Dr. O’Connor turned to leave, the persistent Post reporter inquired about the specific speculation linking Biden to Parkinson’s disease. “Dr. O’Connor, is there anything to that speculation that there might be something related to Parkinson’s that he has?” The response to The Post reporter’s question was unequivocal: “No,” O’Connor said. “No, he’s good.”

Further questions arose regarding visits from a Parkinson’s specialist to the White House, suggesting possible concerns related to the president’s health. “And the Parkinson’s specialist’s visits to the White House, did that have anything to do with that concern?” the Post reporter probed. O’Connor dismissed this notion, stating, “No. He’s seen him three times, my letter was clear.”

The exchange highlights the ongoing scrutiny and speculation surrounding Biden’s health. Dr. O’Connor’s responses aimed to clarify and dispel these rumors, yet they also highlighted the limited communication from the president’s medical team. According to The Post report, a review of press clippings in the Nexis database reveals that Dr. O’Connor has rarely engaged with the media during Biden’s presidency. His few public appearances include a speech at a 2022 medical event and a discussion about his career and military service on the “WarDocs” podcast in February.

This limited visibility of Dr. O’Connor contrasts with the heightened interest in President Biden’s health, particularly after his unexpected decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential race. The report in The Post said that Biden did not address health concerns directly in his recent address to the nation, where he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket. Instead, he emphasized the need to “pass the torch,” signaling a transition in leadership without delving into personal health matters.

Biden’s decision followed a series of mixed signals regarding his re-election campaign. In an interview with BET taped last Tuesday, he insisted he would continue his campaign unless a significant medical condition emerged. “I’d only drop out if I had some medical condition that emerged, if somebody, if doctors came to me and said, ‘You’ve got this problem and that problem,’” Biden stated, as per The Post report.

The president’s choice to endorse Harris marks a significant political shift, potentially redefining the Democratic Party’s strategy and focus as the nation approaches the next election. Harris, known for her work on immigration and social justice, now steps into a more prominent role, reflecting the party’s commitment to diversity and progressive values.