During a press briefing on Monday at the White House, reporters pressed President Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, with questions about recent information in the public visitor logs.
CBS News correspondent Ed O’Keefe questioned Jean-Pierre why a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease appeared in the White House visitor logs eight times over an eight-month period. This includes a meeting with the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, which is also found in the visitor’s public logs. Jean-Pierre attempted to handle the press but had to repeat herself as reporters unleashed various questions simultaneously.
This scrutiny comes after reporters pressed the administration to reveal more information about Biden’s health following his controversial debate performance, which led some Democrats to urge Biden to drop out of the reelection race.
Monday’s briefing escalated as reporters criticized Jean-Pierre’s explanations of Biden’s medical history as lacking before and after his debate with former President Donald Trump. This debate performance cast Biden in a negative light. The president struggled to continue his sentences, spoke with a raspy voice, and appeared blank and with his mouth ajar.
Karine Jean-Pierre DESTROYS CBS News Ed O'Keefe at the Press Briefing. pic.twitter.com/SIUoS6oSHt
— greg the menace (@mistergeezy) July 8, 2024
O’Keefe and Kelly O’Donnell, an NBC News correspondent, continued to press Jean-Pierre about the neurologist’s visit and if the doctor had anything to do with the president’s health. She quickly refused to name him, even though his name was on a public log, Dr. Kevin Cannard, since it was a violation of privacy and security. O’Keefe was among those who spoke directly to Jean-Pierre about the possibility of Biden’s evaluation for Parkinson’s disease.
“We’re miffed around here about how information has been shared with the press corps around here,” O’Keefe said.
“Trying to remain calm and keep the atmosphere neutral,” Jean-Pierre responded, “It doesn’t matter how hard you push me; it doesn’t matter how angry you get with me. I’m not going to confirm a name.’ What I can share with you is the president has seen a neurologist for his physical three times,” Jean-Pierre remarked, adding that Biden is not currently being consulted for Parkinson’s or receiving any treatment related the disease. To support her announcement, she reminded the press about Biden’s February physical, during which his personal physician found Biden healthy and with no evidence of Parkinson’s or any other condition.
However, reporters remained frustrated over the lack of details on whether Biden had a consultation for the apparent cold he had during the presidential debate.
Jean-Pierre responded last Wednesday by denying that Biden had a medical exam and confirmed that the president had not had one since last year’s physical in February. Two days later, Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden had a “verbal check-in” when asked about reports of Biden’s apparent checkup, which he mentioned to a group of governors. Biden also noted he had taken a COVID-19 test and had been checked for an infection; both came back negative, but no official time was given.
O’Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, told Jean-Pierre, “Part of the reason we are pressing here is that we are not clear on what has happened, and therefore the American people to whom we report don’t have a sense of it.”
Zeke Miller from the Associated Press expressed concerns to Jean-Pierre about the White House’s credibility regarding the president’s health. Biden’s health has been a contentious issue throughout his presidential campaign and could potentially affect his chances in the race, as some Democratic officials have already expressed concern that Biden isn’t healthy enough to fulfill his presidential duties for the next four years if he were to be reelected—calling for him to step aside and let another Democrat run in his place.
