In a press briefing on Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed concerns about President Joe Biden’s mental fitness following his poor performance in last week’s debate.
“We’re not taking away from what the American people saw,” Jean-Pierre acknowledged.
The briefing came as Biden’s reelection campaign faces challenges, with donors and Democratic officials expressing unease about his performance. Some have even called for him to drop out of the race.
In response to questions about Biden’s recent appearances, Jean-Pierre emphasized that the president had been sick and still had a cold at the time of the debate. She also confirmed that Hunter Biden had been joining his father in recent White House meetings.
The White House announced that Biden will participate in two high-profile events in the coming week to address concerns. Despite the recent scrutiny, Jean-Pierre insisted that the administration is not hiding any information about the president’s health or ability to perform his duties.
As the debate continues over Biden’s performance, a recent CNN poll showed Vice President Kamala Harris in a hypothetical race against former President Donald Trump, with the two candidates nearly tied. Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the poll results, redirecting the question to the president’s reelection campaign.
Overall, the White House sought to reassure the public and address concerns about Biden’s capabilities, emphasizing his experience and accomplishments in office.
