The clarification followed an earlier statement by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a daily briefing, where she inaccurately stated that the January 17 meeting was unrelated to the president’s care, in response to a query.
It was queried whether a meeting noted in the White House visitors’ logs between renowned neurological expert Dr. Kevin Cannard and Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s personal doctor, pertained to the president himself.
According to the logs, this was the sole recorded meeting between the two doctors from July 2023 to March of the current year — a period during which Cannard was reported to have visited the White House on eight occasions.
“Given that the date was not specified in the question, I want to clarify that the meeting between Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Cannard on January 17 was for the President’s physical examination,” Jean-Pierre informed the AP in a statement on Tuesday. “This appointment marked one of the three occasions on which the President has consulted with Dr. Cannard, each time in relation to his physical examination. The findings from each examination have been publicly disclosed.”
In the days following the recent debate in which concerns over the 81-year-old president’s fitness to serve were reignited, the White House has had to revise its responses concerning Biden’s health. Last week, Jean-Pierre stated that Biden had not been examined by a doctor for a noticeable cold during a June 27 debate.
However, Biden later disclosed during a private session with Democratic governors that he had indeed been examined by his doctor post-debate. Jean-Pierre subsequently clarified that Biden had not undergone a comprehensive medical examination and that the president had instead received a “check-in” from his doctor, as he typically does a few times each week.
Additionally, on Monday evening, the White House issued a statement from Dr. O’Connor detailing the purpose of Cannard’s visits to the White House, after Jean-Pierre earlier in the day declined to confirm the doctor’s identity or provide reasons for his visits. The statement further confirmed that Cannard had been the neurologist overseeing Biden’s three physical examinations during his presidency. Jean-Pierre asserted on Tuesday that “many of the things I stated right here in this briefing room” had subsequently been reiterated in O’Connor’s letter the previous night.
Despite these clarifications, Jean-Pierre maintained this week that she and other White House press aides are striving to provide the most accurate information during briefings.
“I will be the first to admit: Sometimes I get it wrong. At least I acknowledge that,” she remarked. “And sometimes I lack the information. And I will always, always acknowledge that.”
