“The President is in good health and physically active”: The White House says Biden will undergo a physical in the “coming months” after his 80th birthday — but won’t confirm if that will happen before an announcement in 2024
- Biden turned 80 on Sunday
- Karine Jean-Pierre says Biden should get physical ‘in the coming months’
- White House doctor released report ahead of his 79th birthday
- dr Kevin O’Connor said at the time that Biden “remains fit for duty”
- Biden has said he expects to run for re-election but hasn’t made a final decision yet
- Biden returned from Asia last week and flew to Nantucket on Tuesday
The White House on Tuesday vouched for President Joe Biden’s continued health and said the president will receive his second physical as president in the “coming months.”
The White House Press Secretary provided a brief briefing from White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor, however, pointed out that Biden, who turned 80 on Sunday, will not immediately receive his annual physical.
“So the President is in good health and living an active lifestyle. That’s from the doctor — he shared that with me,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday when asked about the Biden health milestone.
“He will undergo an examination in the coming months and the results will be published in the same way as last year,” she said.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says President Biden will receive his annual physical exam in the coming months
She spoke after Biden became the first octogenarian in the White House.
The White House released a six-page letter from O’Connor on November 19 last year detailing Biden’s medical condition and calling him “fit for duty.”
That report also noted that Biden had an increase in throat clearing due to acid reflux and more problems with his “ambulatory gait.”
Since then, O’Connor has provided updates while the president worked through relatively mild symptoms as he contracted COVID-19 and experienced a rebound case.
But this year’s physical seems to be on a slightly slower path. The President has just returned from a week in Asia, and
Eat your greens! Biden is in good health and maintains an active lifestyle. That’s from the doctor — he told me that,” Jean-Pierre said of White House doctor Dr. Kevin O’Connor
Jean-Pierre answered a follow-up question about whether Biden would release the information before announcing his future political plans. Biden said this month “our intention is to run again” without yet committing to running for re-election.
“I don’t have a schedule for you. Just as up-to-date as last year, we will provide information this time as well. And that will happen in the next few months,” added Jean-Pierre.