
In her first press briefing following President Biden’s shaky performance at CNN’s presidential debate, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced relentless questioning from reporters about the president’s cognitive health. The debate debacle has raised significant concerns about Biden’s mental acuity, prompting the media to demand straightforward answers.
Andrew Feinberg of The Independent asked the most direct question, “Does President Biden at 81 years old have Alzheimer’s, any form of dementia, or a degenerative illness that may cause these sorts of lapses?” Jean-Pierre responded assertively, “It’s a no, and I hope you’re asking the other guy the same exact question,” pointing to similar concerns raised about former President Donald Trump.
Further pressing came on whether the White House is hiding information about Biden’s mental state. Jean-Pierre firmly denied any such allegations, asserting, “Absolutely not,” as she handled a series of questions regarding Biden’s debate performance and the subsequent rise in calls for him to withdraw from the race.
Adding to the controversy, excerpts from Jean-Pierre’s 2020 book have resurfaced, casting a shadow over the current campaign. In the book, she recounted her experiences with failing political campaigns, likening the atmosphere to a deflating balloon. This comparison has not gone unnoticed as Biden’s re-election bid faces increasing doubts and challenges.
“There’s nothing more dispiriting than working on a dying campaign,” she wrote, reflecting on her time with John Edwards’ 2008 campaign. Her experiences with campaigns in trouble seem particularly pertinent now, as Biden’s campaign battles to regain its footing.
The briefing underscored the mounting pressure on the Biden administration to be transparent about the president’s health and the growing uncertainty within the political landscape as the election approaches. Jean-Pierre’s handling of these tough questions will be critical as the campaign moves forward.