President Joe Biden was undergoing his yearly physical Wednesday morning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in what could be the final health update before the November election.
Biden, 81, last received his physical on Feb. 16, 2023. Results have been released on the same day of his exam in the past two years through a letter from Biden’s physician.
The White House said that a written summary of the president’s physical would be released later Wednesday.
As he departed the White House, coffee cup in hand, Biden told reporters, “I’m going to Walter Reed to get my physical.”
President Joe Biden walks out of the White House in Washington, Feb. 28, 2024, to board Marine One for a short trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
Andrew Harnik/AP
In 2023, Dr. Kevin O’Connor described Biden as a “healthy, vigorous 80-year-old man” who was “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.” He did note that the president’s gait had stiffened compared to the previous year, saying it was likely the cause of “wear and tear” on the spine, but did not result in “root nerve compression significant enough to warrant any specific treatment.”
The president also had a small skin lesion removed from his chest and a biopsy confirmed it was basal cell carcinoma and “all cancerous tissue was successfully removed.” Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and roughly 3 to 5 million cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, according to JAMA Dermatology.
First lady Jill Biden also had two similar cancerous lesions removed in January 2023 from her face and chest.
Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Americans are concerned Biden is too old to serve a second term and believe that he has declined cognitively and physically.
A Quinnipiac University poll published on Feb. 21 showed that 67% of voters think Biden is “too old to effectively serve another 4-year term as president while 62% said Biden did not have the “physical fitness to serve a second presidential term” and 62% said he does not have the “mental fitness to serve a second presidential term.”
An overwhelming majority of Americans surveyed in an ABC News/Ipsos poll published Feb. 11 think Biden is too old to serve another term.
According to the poll, conducted using Ipsos’ Knowledge Panel, 86% of Americans think Biden, 81, is too old to serve another term as president. That figure includes 59% of Americans who think both he and former President Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner, are too old and 27% who think only Biden is too old.
There were no details about any kind of cognitive exam conducted by Dr. O’Connor last year or the kind of “mental competency tests” that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has called for.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has dismissed the idea of Biden taking a cognitive test during his physical, saying Dr. O’Connor does not believe it’s “warranted because of just who [Biden] is as president of the United States and everything that he has to deal with.”
“The president proves every day how he operates, how he thinks,” she said earlier this month. “That is how Dr. O’Connor sees it.”
As the November election draws near, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden recently underwent a routine annual physical examination to ensure his health and fitness for the demanding role of President of the United States. The 77-year-old former Vice President has been transparent about his health history and regularly undergoes check-ups to monitor his well-being.
Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, released a statement following the examination, confirming that Biden is in good health and fit to serve as President. The statement noted that Biden maintains a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, which have contributed to his overall well-being.
Routine physical examinations are a standard practice for presidential candidates to provide voters with assurance that they are physically capable of handling the demands of the presidency. In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny on the health of presidential candidates, with voters wanting to ensure that their chosen candidate is in good health.
Biden’s physical examination comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good health and fitness. As the virus continues to spread across the country, voters are looking for leaders who prioritize their health and well-being.
In addition to his physical health, Biden has also been vocal about his mental acuity, often challenging President Trump to take cognitive tests to prove his own mental fitness. Biden has stated that he is mentally sharp and ready to take on the responsibilities of the presidency.
Overall, Biden’s recent physical examination serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in presidential candidates. As voters prepare to head to the polls in November, they can rest assured that Biden is in good health and ready to lead the country.
