After President Biden announced Sunday that he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, two doctors shared their thoughts with Fox News Digital on what this means for Biden’s cognitive health.
In retrospect, some experts believe Biden’s path to exit began with what was widely described as a disastrous performance in a late June debate, in which the president’s train of thought appeared unclear and incoherent.
“President Biden has demonstrated signs of cognitive impairment for many years,” Dr. Brett Osborne, a Florida neurosurgeon who specializes in cognitive function, told Fox News Digital on Sunday, though he does not treat or advise Biden.
“It is medically likely that at the time he took office in 2020, he was suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a gateway disease to Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease (not necessarily Parkinson’s disease itself),” Osborne said.
“And since then, as is common with people with neurodegenerative diseases, his condition has only worsened.”
A “deliberate” decision
Osborne offered his professional opinion that, given the signs of “deteriorating cognitive abilities,” Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race appears prudent.
“In my opinion, he is unfit to run the country and unfit to serve as commander in chief,” he said.
“By stepping down, President Biden can prioritize his own health and potentially mitigate his cognitive decline, while also ensuring that the leadership role is filled by someone who is fully capable of handling the demanding responsibilities that come with the position.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical correspondent, said he thinks Biden’s decision may be in the best interest of the president’s health.
“It’s possible that the stress of the race certainly worsened his cognitive abilities, but if he had cognitive issues, they would have progressed anyway, and physical fitness is a big concern,” Siegel told Fox News Digital on Sunday. (Siegel has repeatedly said he can’t make a definitive diagnosis because he hasn’t examined or treated the president.)
Osborne also stressed that remaining in the race could have been “detrimental” to Biden’s mental and physical health.
“Chronic stress releases cortisol, the predominant stress hormone in the body, which can negatively impact the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to further deterioration,” Osborne told Fox News Digital.
“In my opinion, he is unfit to run the country and unfit to serve as commander in chief.” — Neurosurgeon Dr. Brett Osborne
Osborne said Biden’s previous brain surgery may also have affected his cognitive function.
“Two brain surgeries and his [possible] “The combination of neurodegenerative disease and the stresses of the Oval Office dramatically accelerated the decline of an already fragile brain,” he said.
“Another term [was] In my opinion, it’s not even a consideration. By 2028, he will definitely be a ‘nursing home patient.'”
In addition to concerns about his cognitive function, the doctors also discussed Biden’s recent illness with COVID-19.
“Post-Covid syndrome and long Covid have been shown to impact underlying neurological conditions,” Siegel warned.
“This could also happen with a resurgence of COVID-19.”
Regarding COVID, Osborne noted that the virus has been shown to have long-term effects on cognitive function, often referred to as “brain fog.”
“These effects may include impairments in memory, attention and executive function,” he said.
“Post-COVID syndrome and long-COVID have been shown to impact underlying neurological conditions.” — Dr. Mark Siegel
“When someone with pre-existing cognitive problems, like President Biden, becomes infected with COVID-19, neuroinflammation could exacerbate these symptoms and lead to a more rapid decline.”
Osborne also suggested the president’s COVID-19 infection was being used as an “exit strategy.”
“That accelerated his decision, and perhaps theirs, to abandon the presidential bid,” the doctor speculated.
Health is a qualifying requirement
In addition to meeting the official requirements that a president must be a natural-born citizen, be over 35 and have lived in the country for at least 14 years, doctors agreed he must also be in good physical and cognitive health.
“This is incredibly important,” Siegel told Fox News Digital. “We are entitled to it as a country.”
Osborne noted that the role of president involves making complex and significant decisions, often under great pressure.
“Cognitive health is essential to clear thinking, effective communication and sound decision-making — all of which President Biden lacks,” he said in his opinion.
“They should admit what they know and reveal the full neurological results.” — Dr. Mark Siegel
Osborne said physical fitness is also essential because the job requires long hours, frequent travel and crisis management.
“A healthy president is better able to handle the demands of the job and lead the nation effectively through various challenges,” he added.
“Full health disclosure” required
Siegel said that given Biden’s announcement that he was dropping out of the race, the decision “should be accompanied by full disclosure about his health.”
“They should admit what they know and reveal the full neurological findings,” he said.
Osborne said the situation highlights the need for thorough medical examinations of presidential candidates – and sitting presidents – to ensure they are able to perform their duties.
“Regular physical and mental examinations should be made non-negotiable, not obstructed by the ruling party,” he said.
“It is a disgrace to the United States government to tolerate four years of President Biden’s mental incompetence, and the world has witnessed it.”
In response to a question from Fox News Digital, the White House press office said “health was not a factor” in the president’s decision to withdraw from the election.
“The President looks forward to completing his term and delivering even more historic accomplishments for the American people,” the White House said in a statement.
