It seems odd that presidential physicals — the examinations they regularly undergo and then publicize in order to be transparent about their fitness for office — have become something political. But then, everything is political now.
President Biden transferred Executive power to VP Kamala Harris for just under an hour and a half Friday as he underwent his exam and a colonoscopy, and his doctor publicly stated that he was in fine physical condition other than a few minor ailments that mostly come with age.
Certainly, he did not ask Dr. Kevin O’Connor to lie about the examination, as an unnamed recent president did every year of his tenure. O’Connor released a six-page outline [1] of Biden’s results, and summarized it:
President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief.
From earlier, President Biden departs Walter Reed after physical & colonoscopy. pic.twitter.com/J3ZrLWx4XS [2]
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 19, 2021 [3]
Ever projecting their own failings, Republicans were not convinced that Biden was telling the truth. They seized on the minor issues that Biden is facing, including gastroesophageal reflux — something that one in five Americans suffers from — as well as the way he walks. Dr. O’Connor chalked up the irregular gait to a likely holdover from a broken foot Biden suffered when he was playing with his dog last November.
all specialties consulted & all recs appreciated#BidenPhysical [4] pic.twitter.com/5QUOIYcak3 [5]
— Harry Thomas (@DrHarryThomas) November 20, 2021 [6]
Biden’s stutter as a child has been a life-long challenge for him and has contributed to a lot of rumors about his mental fitness for office. His Press Secretary Jen Psaki addressed the concerns of conservatives at a briefing Friday afternoon:
There are certainly quite a bit of conspiracy theory pushing out there on a range of social media platforms and even through the mouths of elected officials. So that could certainly be a root cause.
Take a look at what conservative Twitter is saying:
Biden gets his physical health exam today. If a cognitive test is not included, you have to assume everyone in his circle knows he is mentally unfit.
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) November 19, 2021 [7]
Most likely involves crayons and trying to stay inside the lines while coloring
— The Kee (@The_Only_Kee) November 19, 2021 [8]
He’s not getting a physical . They are preparing a false statement.
— Bub (@plumbalong) November 19, 2021 [9]
Bumbling Biden going to Walter Reed for physical today. Go ahead and leave for the weekend. We already know the results. Perfect health. More cognitive than any person in White House history. Bring on the coverup. It’s what they do.
— Linda (@LindaHardesty10) November 19, 2021 [10]
Everyone knows this is a lie. It’s called advanced dementia.
— Ian MacGregor (@IanMacG29163879) November 20, 2021 [11]
Wait, where's the breakdown of the tests performed and the results of them? Where the press conference with Biden's doctor which was demanded when Trump was President
— CovfefeForT (@MeBeHealthy) November 20, 2021 [12]
Did they unzip his skull to see how mushy his brain is? If they didn’t do that the report is worthless
— Just a Scrappy Kid from Scranton (@33gossamer) November 19, 2021 [13]
So are we just gonna let it slide that the throat clearing, cough, and sinus congestion are attributed to GERD??
— George Saffouri (@gbsaff) November 20, 2021 [14]
Trump got 30 of 30 on his cognitive test. Wonder would Biden would get? https://t.co/FGL8WyEXfE [15]
— Luke ✝️ 🇺🇲 (@lukelivingood) November 19, 2021 [16]
Doctor: Joe, what's your name, JOE.
Biden: Uh, Joe?
Doctor: Excellent, you scored 100% on your cognitive test. 😉 https://t.co/LqbmBsVBBo [17]
— America: Born 1776; Died 2020 (@TruthIsMySword) November 19, 2021 [18]
They will give him a cognitive test and lie openly about the results. https://t.co/Jsn2EFD7nS [19]
— thedrishti (@thedrishti_) November 19, 2021 [20]
I have said this before too. The Biden team could remove all doubt by having Joe take a mental ability test, like Trump did. That they don't do this speaks volumes. Or maybe they afraid he would pass and then people would say, oh my God he is just that dumb. https://t.co/3UFj6iaQdY [21]
— TheRealGOP 🇺🇸 (@TheRealGOP) November 19, 2021 [22]
We have to assume this is the case now – it's evident by the way the estab treated him at recent G7 or G20 Meetings or the fact that his aides sprint toward the press screaming…
"No questions – No more questions!!!!!" or "I'll get in trouble if I take a ?"
Everyone knows. https://t.co/ARejerdWPt [23]
— HelioWave (@heliodown) November 19, 2021 [24]