At 80, Joe Biden is the oldest president the United States has ever had - and he's flirting with a second term. "Is he still capable of doing that?" His political opponents aren't the only ones to ask. The Democrat now passes a comprehensive health check-up without any problems.
During the annual health check-up, US President Joe Biden was certified that he is in good health and fully capable of office despite his advanced age. The 80-year-old has only minor complaints and can continue to "successfully perform the duties of the presidency," said Biden's personal physician Kevin O'Connor. The health certificate published by the White House had been eagerly awaited in view of a possible renewed Biden presidential candidacy.
"President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous 80-year-old man capable of successfully discharging the duties of the presidency," including as supreme commander in the US Army, O'Connor's certificate read. At a height of 1.83 meters, the President weighs almost 81 kilograms. The personal physician also certified a healthy lifestyle for the US Democrat: "The President does not consume any tobacco products, does not drink alcohol and continues to exercise at least five times a week."
The five-page letter also lists some health issues, including frequent throat clearing and coughing as a result of gastroesophageal reflux. Furthermore, a stiff gait due to signs of wear and tear on the spine can be observed. However, this problem has not worsened since the last major health check-up in 2021, explained O'Connor, who has been providing medical care to Biden for a good decade. Biden has atrial fibrillation and elevated blood levels under control thanks to taking medication. He also takes medication for allergies.
Biden, who is considering running for president again, had completed a comprehensive health check that began last year at Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington. According to O'Connor, this included an "extremely detailed neurological examination". This did not show any evidence of functional disorders of the brain or the central nervous system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease. At the conclusion of the exam, Biden had a small lesion on his chest removed and sent to the lab for a routine biopsy.
The White House presented the last health certificate in November 2021. Last summer, the President fell ill with Covid. Since he had been vaccinated against the corona virus several times, the symptoms were "mild", explained O'Connor. Biden does not suffer from the possible late effects of such a disease known as Long Covid.
In 2021, Biden underwent a colonoscopy under general anesthesia as part of the comprehensive routine medical examination. At that time, he handed over official business to his deputy Kamala Harris for an hour and a half.
Biden is the oldest president in US history. Critics have therefore expressed doubts about his fitness for office. Some Republicans and right-wing commentators have questioned his mental abilities. In the event of a renewed presidential candidacy, Biden’s age is likely to be brought up again and again, at the beginning of a possible second term he would be 82.
According to a poll released this month, even among Democrats, more than half of those polled think Biden is too old to run for a second presidential nomination next year. Biden himself responds to interview questions about his age by referring to his political achievements and saying "Look at me".
Nikki Haley, 51, who announced her candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday, called the following day for all elected officials in the government to be required to have mental fitness tests after the age of 75. This would also apply to her 76-year-old intra-party rival Donald Trump.
