With Kamala Harris now at the top of the Democratic ticket and with signs of Joe Biden’s mental health still fading, the big question now is, will he finish out his term as President?
These kinds of concerns were raised even as Biden gave his Oval Office speech about why he chose to abandon his race but never mentioned his failing health among the reasons.
In the days after the speech, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s personal physician, told reporters that Biden’s health and mental cognition were both “excellent,” yet some experts have been expressing concerns that remaining in office could take a physical and mental toll on the president. In fact, health experts have said the high-pressure nature of the presidency could pose “significant health risks” for Biden, who has recently displayed signs of cognitive challenges.
“I am definitely concerned about the stress, and am worried he could be depressed while apparently continuing to fail cognitively,” Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, told Fox News.
To be clear, he has not treated Biden. However, Dr. Siegel also said, “I am furious that the White House is in denial mode and is not giving us any details, and that the White House doctor is not coming forward,” adding that he “feels compassion” for the president.
Dr. Siegel is not alone among medical professionals.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, reiterated that the “immense, demanding and relentless” stress of the presidency can significantly impact physical and cognitive health.
“For President Biden, who has a history of cognitive issues, the toll of such stress is particularly concerning,” he told Fox News, expressing his professional opinion. Like Siegle, Osborn has not examined or treated the president, yet he shares his concerns.
Stress can worsen cognitive issues by causing a spike in cortisol, the primary stress hormone, Osborn said.
“Prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can accelerate the deterioration of brain regions, such as the frontal and temporal lobes, which are crucial for cognitive functions like memory, decision-making, and impulse control,” he said.
“This suggests that the demanding nature of the presidency could further accelerate any existing cognitive decline in President Biden, potentially diminishing his ability to fulfill the complex and high-stakes responsibilities of his office.”
These and other doctors who shared professional opinions with Fox agreed that in their view, Biden should receive ongoing medical care and monitoring.
It is essential that the president receives appropriate medical care and stress management for the remainder of his term, Osborn said.
“While President Biden’s commitment to serving his country is commendable, the potential health risks associated with continuing in such a high-pressure role cannot be ignored,” the neurosurgeon said.
In the wake of his withdrawal from the race, Republican leaders have called for him to resign, saying that Biden’s decision to step aside confirmed their view that he was not in cognitive shape to serve as president.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, the most powerful Republican in Congress.
“He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough,” he added, referring to Election Day.
