The White House has declined to explain a Parkinson’s expert’s eight recent visits to President Joe Biden’s executive mansion, citing “security reasons” despite the visitor logs being public.
Reports surfaced on Sunday revealing that a well-known neurologist and Parkinson’s expert, Dr. Kevin Cannard, had visited the White House, according to public visit logs, sparking speculation that Biden might be suffering from a neurological disease.
Further reports on Monday indicated that the neurologist had visited Biden eight times in the past eight months.
When questioned by journalists, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday night, July 8, refused to confirm the visits or the doctor’s name, citing security concerns.
Jean-Pierre did not elaborate on the security concerns surrounding Dr. Kevin Cannard’s visits and accused correspondents of engaging in “personal attacks” at one point.
The press secretary underscored the significant presence of military personnel at the White House who receive care from the White House Medical Unit, emphasizing the necessity for careful consideration. She highlighted the unit’s comprehensive range of specialists, from dermatologists to neurologists, while citing security protocols that preclude discussing individual cases to protect privacy.
Recent scrutiny focused on Cannard’s visits, including a notable meeting with Dr. Kevin O’Connor in January, which gained attention following concerns over the president’s performance during the June 27 debate. Reports clarified that Biden underwent a thorough physical examination in February, with subsequent statements from the White House confirming he does not have Parkinson’s disease.
During the briefing, Jean-Pierre acknowledged that Biden had seen a neurologist three times during his presidency, coinciding with his annual physical exams. However, she carefully avoided directly addressing speculation regarding Cannard’s visits potentially related to Biden’s health, asserting the importance of respecting privacy, as evidenced by the public availability of White House visitor logs.
When pressed for further details by Ed O’Keefe of CBS News, Jean-Pierre maintained the stance on privacy without elaborating on whether the concern pertained to the patient or the doctor in question.
NBC News correspondent Kelly O’Donnell reiterated that the information was public, while CBS News correspondent Ed O’Keefe insisted that failing to answer the question would prolong uncertainty at the White House.
In response to O’Keefe’s persistence, Jean-Pierre criticized his aggressive approach, stating, “There’s no reason for this back-and-forth in such a confrontational manner.”
O’Keefe expressed frustration with the White House’s handling of information, noting previous incomplete disclosures regarding Biden’s medical check-ups post-debate. Jean-Pierre maintained her stance on not confirming names for security reasons, despite O’Keefe’s continued pressure.
Later, O’Donnell emphasized that reporters were seeking clarity for the benefit of the American people, suggesting Biden could waive protections under federal law to release his medical records promptly.
Jean-Pierre condemned what she perceived as personal attacks from reporters, reiterating, “Personal attacks are not acceptable.”
Regarding Biden’s cognitive ability and readiness for the 2024 election, Jean-Pierre affirmed, “The president does not need a cognitive test. That is the assessment of the president’s doctor and neurologist.” The scrutiny intensified following Biden’s debated performance on June 27, where he faced criticism for stumbling over words and delivering a non sequitur during questioning about entitlement programs.
