Rabat- In an exclusive interview with ABC News on Friday, President Biden directly addressed concerns over his cognitive fitness and recent debate performance.
As President Biden faces growing calls to reconsider his decision to run for a second term, many critics have called for an independent medical evaluation of the president’s cognitive fitness to lead the US for an additional four-year term.
Biden took issue with such calls in his ABC interview, arguing that he undergoes rigorous daily cognitive assessments as part of his presidential duties. “Every day, I have that test. Everything I do,” he said.
Biden acknowledged his poor performance in the recent debate against Donald Trump, describing it as “a bad episode.” He then attributed any debate lapses to fatigue and illness, disclosing he had been tested for COVID-19 and other infections.
Despite growing skepticism from within his own party about his ability to lead, Biden expressed confidence in his physical and mental capabilities.
He defended his decision not to undergo an independent evaluation, stating his ongoing assessments by personal doctors are enough. “My presidency itself is a cognitive test every single day,” he stressed, reaffirming his readiness to lead America.
The president attributed his lackluster debate to exhaustion and illness, revealing that he had undergone medical tests to rule out COVID-19 and other infections.
Read also: Keir Starmer Becomes UK Prime Minister in Landslide Labour Victory
Responding to some Democrats who have raised concerns about his fitness for office, Biden appeared to argue that his passion, energy, and ability to serve and lead America have not suffered in the past four years.
When questioned about undergoing cognitive assessments, Biden gave an evasive answer. He spoke of performing daily mental acuity tests and highlighted that he has had more achievements as president than Donald Trump.
He also dismissed calls to step down as the Democratic nominee by presenting himself as the most qualified candidate to challenge Trump.
“I don’t think anyone is more qualified,” Biden said in the interview, blaming his debate performance on exhaustion and a “really bad cold”.
The 22-minute interview with ABC News was a high-stakes moment for President Biden as he sought to reassure supporters and voters in the wake of his lackluster debate performance.
The unedited interview was closely watched by Democrats concerned about Biden’s ability to serve another term or defeat former President Trump in the upcoming election.
Biden repeatedly rejected suggestions that he was trailing Trump in the polls, asserting that the race was evenly matched. He also disputed reports indicating his approval rating was around 36%, questioning their accuracy. But it remains to be seen whether this interview will allay concerns about his age and fitness for the presidency.
