White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed Monday that President Joe Biden has seen a neurologist three times during his presidency.
At a heated press conference at the White House, Jean-Pierre answered In response to a reporter’s question about Dr. Kevin Canard, a neurologist who specializes in treating patients with Parkinson’s disease, Reportedly He has visited the White House eight times in the past eight months.
“The president goes to see a neurologist every year during his medical,” Jean-Pierre told reporters. “Three times, right? So that means he’s seen a neurologist three times during his presidency.”
.Ed Keefe, Kelly and Zeke Miller There were some tough questions at today’s briefing about the Parkinson’s specialist’s visit to the White House.
“We’re all a little frustrated about how the information was shared with reporters.” pic.twitter.com/1STDC4y2zr— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) July 8, 2024
Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden had been seen by a neurologist “three times.”
“He had to see a neurologist every time he had a checkup,” Jean-Pierre added.
A White House spokesman explained that “for security reasons” they “cannot release the names” of the experts visiting the White House.
“We cannot publicly disclose the names of the specialists, from the dermatologist to the neurologist,” Jean-Pierre explained. “There are security reasons…”
After several exchanges with CBS News reporter Ed O’Keefe, O’Keefe said the reporters were a bit “unhappy” about “how information was being shared with reporters.”
“What are you angry about?” asked Jean-Pierre.
The spokesperson later clarified that they would not “release” or “confirm” the names.
“No matter how hard you press me, no matter how angry you are at me, I’m not going to give any names,” Jean-Pierre said. “It doesn’t even matter if it’s on the record. I’m not going to do that from here. That’s not what I’m going to do. What I can tell you is that the president has seen a neurologist three times for a medical checkup. Three times.”
Canard visited the White House eight times between July 2023 and March 2024, according to recently released White House visitor records. according to To The New York TimesAccording to the outlet, the White House records did not specify whether Canard was at the White House “to consult specifically about the president” or “for an unrelated meeting.”
During former President Barack Obama’s tenure, records show Canard reportedly “visited 10 times in 2012,” as well as visiting in 2013 and 2014.
Records from the Obama administration, when Biden was vice president, show Canard visited 10 times in 2012, including giving family tours, four times in 2013 and one time in 2014. Records from 2015 and 2016 could not immediately be found online. Trump reversed Obama’s policy of voluntary disclosure of White House visitors, so records from his four years in office are not available.
Following Biden’s performance in the presidential debate with former President Donald Trump, many Democrats, donors and voters are calling for Biden to be replaced and withdraw from the presidential race.
Amid ongoing concerns about Biden’s mental and physical health and whether he can serve another term as president, Biden and his campaign have insisted he will run rather than withdraw from the race.
Jean-Pierre had previously said Biden had not been seen by a doctor since February. A White House official later said Revealed According to CNN, Biden visited a doctor after the debate for a “brief check-up.”
