The White House press briefing became contentious on 8 July, as reporters pressed Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about a Parkinson’s specialist, Dr. Kevin Cannard, who had visited the White House eight times over eight months. They wanted to know if President Joe Biden had seen Dr. Cannard.
A reporter voiced frustration over the perceived lack of transparency from the administration regarding these visits. Jean-Pierre responded firmly, refusing to confirm any names from the visitors’ log, citing privacy concerns. She did, however, confirm that President Biden had seen a neurologist three times for his physical exams and stressed that this level of disclosure was in line with past administrations, such as those of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Jean-Pierre assured that there were no findings of major neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or ALS during these examinations. She emphasized that comprehensive health reports were released following each physical exam, highlighting the administration’s transparency.
Despite persistent questioning, Jean-Pierre maintained that she would not divulge specific names or details, stressing the importance of privacy and appropriateness. She reiterated that the President’s medical team had found no significant neurological issues and that the administration had been forthcoming with relevant health information.
The briefing also touched on President Biden’s commitment to the 2024 presidential elections which are to be held on 5 November. Biden humorously remarked that only the “Lord Almighty” could drive him out of the race, reinforcing his determination to continue in his role.
The press briefing highlighted the tension between the need for transparency about the President’s health and the necessity of respecting privacy. The White House emphasized that Biden’s health examinations revealed no major issues and that they had been open about his health status.
