White House Admits Parkinson's Expert Meeting Related to Biden's Care, Corrects Previous Denial

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre initially claimed the January meeting was unrelated to President Biden's health, but later reversed course and acknowledged it was part of his annual physical. The admission comes amid concerns about Biden's fitness for office, heightened by recent gaffes and debates.

After initially denying that a meeting between White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor and Parkinson's disease expert Dr. Kevin Cannard was related to President Biden's care, the White House has now admitted that the meeting was part of Biden's annual physical.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sparked confusion on Tuesday when she told reporters that the January 17th meeting was not related to the president's health. However, in a subsequent statement, Jean-Pierre clarified that the meeting was one of three neurological exams conducted on Biden as part of his physical.

White House Admits Parkinson's Expert Meeting Related to Biden's Care, Corrects Previous Denial

"Because the date was not mentioned in the question, I want to be clear that the January 17th meeting between Dr. O'Connor and Dr. Cannard was for the President's physical," Jean-Pierre said. "It was one of the three times the President has seen Dr. Cannard, each time for his physical."

The White House's initial denial and subsequent correction have raised questions about the transparency and accuracy of the information provided by the administration regarding Biden's health. The president has been facing increasing scrutiny over his cognitive abilities and fitness to serve, particularly in light of recent gaffes and confusing statements.

White House Admits Parkinson's Expert Meeting Related to Biden's Care, Corrects Previous Denial

Jean-Pierre attempted to defend her handling of the situation, stating that she "admits" when she makes mistakes. "I will be the first one to admit: Sometimes I get it wrong. At least I admit that," she said. "And sometimes I don’t have the information. And I will always, always admit that."

However, the repeated presence of Cannard, an expert in movement disorders, in the White House visitor logs has fueled speculation about the president's neurological health. Jean-Pierre has definitively denied that Biden has been treated or is currently taking medication for Parkinson's disease.

White House Admits Parkinson's Expert Meeting Related to Biden's Care, Corrects Previous Denial

The White House's clarification also highlights the decentralized nature of Biden's annual physical, which can involve examinations performed over a period of time rather than a single day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. In his February 28th letter reporting the results of Biden's physical, O'Connor stated that the neurological exam did not reveal any signs of cerebellar or other central neurological disorders, including Parkinson's.

Despite the White House's insistence on Biden's good health, the president's recent behavior has raised concerns among some observers. His age, 81, has also become a factor in discussions about his fitness for office. Biden has repeatedly stated that he intends to run for re-election in 2024, but the White House has yet to officially confirm his plans.

White House Admits Parkinson's Expert Meeting Related to Biden's Care, Corrects Previous Denial

The ongoing scrutiny of Biden's health is likely to continue in the coming months, particularly if he decides to seek a second term. The White House's handling of this issue will be closely watched as it seeks to balance transparency with the president's privacy and reputation.