Joe Biden Is 'Healthy, Active, Robust' And 'Fit For Duty' As Oldest US President, White House Doctor Says
President Joe Biden is "fit for duty," according to the White House physician, amid concerns about his mental and physical health.
Following the president's annual physical Wednesday, White House physician Kevin O'Connor declared Biden, who is the oldest U.S. president to ever hold the office, to be "a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male, who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency" in a summary released by the White House.
According to the report, O'Connor found "no new concerns" during Biden's annual exam.
The physician indicated that Biden is being treated for several ailments consistent with his age, including obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux, seasonal allergies, spinal arthritis and sensory peripheral neuropathy of the feet.
The report also noted that Biden's "gait remains stiff but has not worsened since last year."
President Joe Biden speaks onstage at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards on September 23, 2023 in Washington, DC.
O'Connor attributed the changes to Biden's gait to mild arthritic changes. The physician said no additional treatment is needed, other than Biden's ongoing physical therapy.
Biden's medical considerations remain "stable," the doctor reported.
The president takes six medications, including three prescription and three over-the-counter, to treat the conditions.
According to the report, Biden also underwent a total body skin exam, but no new abnormalities were found.
Last year, a lesion was removed from the president's chest. It was identified as basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer.
O'Connor said at the time that "no further treatment" was required, CNN reported.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting about countering the flow of fentanyl into the United States, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House November 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Since announcing last year that he is running for reelection in 2024, Biden has faced concerns about whether he is physically and mentally capable of serving another four years as president.
A recent national NBC News poll found that 76% of voters said they have concerns about Biden not having the necessary mental and physical health to be president for a second term.
The poll also showed that 54% of Democrats have either major or moderate concerns about whether Biden is mentally and physically up for the job.
A Quinnipiac University poll released last week also found that 64% of voters don't think Biden is mentally fit to serve a second term. Around 62% said they don't think he has "the physical fitness to serve a second presidential term," according to the poll.
Biden was asked about the concerns around his age during his appearance on "Late Night With Seth Meyers" on Monday.
The president claimed that what really matters is "how old your ideas are" before pointing to former President Donald Trump, who is the current GOP presidential nomination frontrunner.
"You got to take a look at the other guy, he's about as old as I am, but he can't remember his wife's name," Biden said, referring to Trump's recent lapse in a speech in which he seemingly called his wife Melania Trump "Mercedes."
