White House now says Biden saw neurologist during January physical

The White House clarified Tuesday that President Biden saw Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist, on Jan. 17 as part of his annual physical.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had signaled to reporters during the daily press briefing Tuesday that the January meeting was not part of Biden’s physical, but she later confirmed that it was.

“Because the date was not mentioned in the question, I want to be clear that the January 17th meeting between Dr. [Kevin] O’Connor and Dr. Cannard was for the President’s physical,” Jean-Pierre said in an emailed statement.

“It was one of the three times the President has seen Dr. Cannard, each time for his physical,” she added. “The findings from each exam have been released to the public.”

Jean-Pierre first sent the statement to The Associated Press in response to a question from the outlet in the Tuesday briefing. She proactively followed up with the outlet to volunteer the information, per the White House.

The Jan. 17 meeting was the only time both the neurologist and O’Connor, Biden’s personal doctor, met together at the White House within the period between last summer and this spring when Cannard visited the complex eight times.

The White House faced rounds of questions Monday and Tuesday about Cannard’s visits. Jean-Pierre was adamant Monday about not naming him, citing privacy and security questions, and then O’Connor released a letter Monday night with more information about the neurologist’s visits.

Questions about the president’s mental sharpness and whether he’s up to handling the job for another four years have become commonplace following his poor performance at the June 27 debate. During the forum with former President Trump, Biden spoke in a soft raspy voice, seemed to lack energy and often struggled to complete sentences.

The incumbent defended his health during his first postdebate interview last week with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, writing it off as merely “a bad night.”

“It was a bad episode. No indication of any serious condition. I was exhausted,” Biden said. “I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing and — and a bad night.”