Picture this: an expert on Parkinson’s Disease making rounds at the White House, and not just once or twice, but a whopping eight times over eight months! It sounds like the setup for an intriguing medical drama, but this is real life according to White House visitor logs.
Our leading man, Dr. Kevin Cannard, isn’t just any doctor. He’s a neurologist and a movement disorders specialist based at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Before July 2023, his visits to the White House were rare, with only one recorded visit in November 2022. Yet, between July and March this year, it seems the good doctor has had a lot more reasons to drop by.
The White House, holding its cards close to its chest as always, won’t confirm if Dr. Cannard is advising on President Biden’s personal care. Their official line is that specialists from Walter Reed often visit to treat the multitude of military personnel working at the White House. Cryptic much?
Keeping Tight-Lipped
The air grew even thicker with suspense as White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly dodged questions about whether Dr. Cannard ever treated or consulted on President Biden’s care. Despite the dogged persistence of ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce, Jean-Pierre cited privacy concerns but did firmly state that Biden wasn’t being treated for Parkinson’s.
It all gets even more curious when one learns that as part of his annual physical exam, President Biden was evaluated by a neurologist who found no signs of Parkinson’s, which was thoroughly documented in a summary released by his personal physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, last February.
Fit for Duty
According to Dr. O’Connor’s summary, President Biden, at 81 years young, continues to be “fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.” The detailed neurologic exam reported no findings consistent with Parkinson’s, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other central neurological disorders. So there you have it, folks. A clean bill of neurological health.
Jean-Pierre underscored these points during the press briefing, reiterating from the February report that there were no signs of Parkinson’s or any other neurological diseases. In no uncertain terms, she clarified: Biden has not been treated for Parkinson’s, is not currently being treated, and is not on any medication for the disease.
No Cognitive Test for Joe
But hold on, President Biden isn’t exactly out of the woods in public perception. When pressed in an exclusive ABC News interview about whether he’d undergo an independent cognitive test, Biden held his ground and insisted that his daily routines serve as constant cognitive tests. He amusingly remarked, “Every day I have that test,” while pointing out that his role involves not just campaigning but also managing global responsibilities.
George Stephanopoulos of ABC News wasn’t so easily swayed and continued to press the President on whether he’d commit to a public cognitive test. Biden, ever the diplomat, didn’t commit, but his message was clear: watch his actions throughout the campaign.
With NATO leaders preparing to converge on Washington this week, all eyes will be on Biden. An informal adviser to the Biden administration voiced deep concerns from some NATO leaders about Biden’s ability to maintain the intense schedule demanded of a President. “He’s getting slower; he’s having a harder time hearing; he’s having a harder time processing,” the source noted.
These are not trivial concerns, especially when you’re trying to convince the world you can handle another four years in office. It’s a high-stakes game, and the betting chips are down.
