Joe Biden's doctor, Kevin O'Connor, gave a puzzling response when asked if he was the president's physician while trying to navigate through anti-Israel protest blockades.

When asked if he was the president's doctor, O'Connor initially responded with a surprising, "I don’t know. I don’t know," as the Daily Mail reports.

Confusion Amidst Security Heightened For Netanyahu's Visit

This puzzling response came during a time of heightened security for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House. The confusion and the context of the visit led to further questions about President Biden's health, an issue that has been a point of speculation for some time.

O'Connor, who has never given an interview or held a press conference since Biden took office in January 2021, later confirmed that he was indeed Biden's doctor. He commented on Biden's health, stating simply, "It's excellent."

Despite the reassurance, O'Connor mentioned that he would "probably not" brief the press about Biden's health, expressing a hope that this stance would not change before Biden's term ends in January.

When questioned about conducting a cognitive test on Biden, O'Connor responded that it was unnecessary since Biden is "here every day."

Speculations And Reassurances About Biden's Health

Speculation about Biden's health has increased, particularly following an alarming debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27 and subsequent public events. During these times, observers noted various signs that raised concerns.

Dr. Ernst von Schwarz commented on Biden's signs of cognitive decline, suggesting that dry mouth, fixed stare, and limited hand movements and gestures could be indicators. However, he also acknowledged that these signs "could also be due to medication."

O'Connor has denied speculation that Biden suffers from Parkinson's disease, reinforcing that Biden's health is excellent.

He mentioned that Parkinson's specialist Kevin Cannard visited Biden only for annual physical exams. O'Connor clarified, "Dr Cannard was the neurological specialist that examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals," and noted that Biden had not seen a neurologist outside of these annual exams.

Cannard visited the White House residence clinic eight times between July 2023 and March 2024, meeting with Megan Nasworthy seven times and with O'Connor and cardiologist Dr. John Atwood once. Prior to the pandemic and following its end, Cannard held regular neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic for active-duty members.

O'Connor's Role and Public Perception

O'Connor's interactions with the press and his responses have done little to quell public speculation. Despite his assurances, the manner and content of his replies have kept the issue of Biden's health in the public eye. Biden's recent decision to drop out of the race, while vowing to stay in office until his term ends, has also contributed to the ongoing scrutiny.

During an 11-minute address to the nation on Wednesday, Biden read exclusively from a teleprompter. This has made it difficult to assess his mental and physical well-being accurately, further fueling speculation and concerns.

O'Connor's remarks and the context of his comments are critical in understanding the broader narrative.

His assertion that "we don't need to" conduct a cognitive test because Biden is present every day aims to dispel doubts, yet the frequency of neurological visits and the ongoing public and media focus suggest otherwise.

Conclusion

The interactions between Biden's physician and the press, coupled with the surrounding context of heightened security and public speculation, paint a complex picture of the current administration's transparency regarding the president's health.

Despite assurances from Dr. Kevin O'Connor about Biden's excellent health, the public remains vigilant, parsing every detail and statement for clues about the president's cognitive state.

Even in light of O'Connor's statements and explanations about Biden's medical care, public and media scrutiny will assuredly continue to focus on the president's mental acuity and overall health.