This comes in response to a reporter's direct question, which was posed in the aftermath of a debate that sparked concerns about the President's mental acuity. Jean-Pierre's response was unequivocal, "It's a no. And I hope you're asking the other guy the same exact question," she said, alluding to former President Trump.
According to The New York Post, this press briefing was the first since Biden's debate performance, which led to calls from Democrats and legacy media outlets for the President to withdraw from the election. The concerns were primarily due to perceived lapses in his speech and overall demeanor during the debate. Biden's performance, characterized by stumbling over words, losing his train of thought, and a raspy voice, was widely criticized for appearing slow and weak.
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The President's mental fitness has been a topic of discussion for years, with recent months seeing an increase in speculation. This was further fueled by Special Counsel Robert Hur's report, which portrayed Biden as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." The White House, however, has consistently dismissed these concerns, labeling instances of Biden's public gaffes or miscues as "cheap fakes." This term, as defined by the White House, refers to real videos that are allegedly edited or cropped in a deceptive manner.
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The debate's aftermath saw a surge in concerns about the president's mental acuity, even among traditional left-wing allies. Despite this, Jean-Pierre reiterated during the press briefing that the administration has no regrets about promoting the narrative of cheap fakes. When asked by Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich if the administration regretted using the term, Jean-Pierre responded, "Not at all, not at all." She further explained that the term was borrowed from the media and was used to highlight the misinformation targeting the President.
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The Trump campaign, however, demanded an apology for the use of the term, arguing that Biden's debate performance made it clear that there was nothing fake about his decline. Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign national press secretary, accused the Biden White House, the Democrat Party, and the mainstream media of being complicit in a cover-up about Biden's mental state. She called for an apology to the American public for what she termed as "the greatest coverup in U.S. political history."
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The press briefing saw Jean-Pierre fielding numerous questions about Biden's mental and physical health. She emphasized that Biden and his allies, including former President Obama, acknowledged that the debate did not go well for the President. However, she insisted that Biden is "fighting" for the American people. In response to questions about the President's health and his ability to perform his duties, Jean-Pierre maintained that the administration has been transparent about the President's health history, releasing comprehensive medical reports for his annual checkups.
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The press briefing coincided with calls from Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. This marked the first time an elected Democrat official has made such a demand. Doggett's call was echoed by legacy media outlets like the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, which published opinion pieces suggesting that Biden should step down from the race. These sentiments were also shared by former elected officials and other traditional allies of the party.
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Despite the mounting pressure and criticism, the White House remains steadfast in its defense of the President. Jean-Pierre's firm denial of any mental health issues afflicting the President, coupled with the administration's commitment to transparency, underscores their determination to weather this storm of controversy. However, the continued scrutiny and calls for Biden's withdrawal from the race suggest that this issue will remain a significant challenge for the administration.
