In a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s talk show, Dr. Phil McGraw made waves by calling on President Biden to undergo a cognitive examination, stirring up fresh controversy surrounding the 81-year-old’s mental fitness for office.
During the “Overtime” segment of Maher’s show, the former TV psychologist didn’t hold back when asked about his opinion on Biden’s cognitive state. Maher, probing the issue, asked, “Dr. Phil, do you think President Biden should take a cognitive exam?” McGraw’s response was succinct yet impactful: “People that have nothing to hide, hide nothing. So, why not?” His words resonated with the studio audience, drawing applause.
The White House, however, has vehemently defended Biden against any insinuations of cognitive decline. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden’s physician has found no evidence of such decline, asserting, “The president doesn’t need a cognitive test.”
But criticisms have continued to mount, fueled by recent events. Special counsel Robert Hur’s report, released on February 8, refrained from recommending criminal charges against Biden for alleged mishandling of classified documents, citing concerns about how a jury might perceive him due to his age and memory lapses.
In one particularly striking incident, Biden publicly claimed to have spoken with long-deceased foreign leaders on three separate occasions. Furthermore, during a press conference meant to counter Hur’s findings, he confused the leaders of Mexico and Egypt.
The public’s perception of Biden’s age and mental acuity seems to be shifting. A recent Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey revealed that over 80% of registered voters across seven battleground states view the incumbent president as “too old” for office.
Adding to the fray, Maher himself didn’t mince words when discussing Biden’s age. In a segment earlier on the same show, he delivered a mock State of the Union address as the 46th president, humorously using a walker and making jabs at Biden’s apparent struggles with names and mobility.
As the debate over Biden’s cognitive state rages on, with voices from both the political and entertainment spheres weighing in, the pressure for transparency and reassurance from the White House only intensifies. Will President Biden acquiesce to Dr. Phil’s suggestion and undergo a cognitive test? Only time will tell. But until then, the speculation and scrutiny surrounding the oldest president in U.S. history continue to captivate the nation’s attention.
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