Nancy Pelosi Calls for Health and Cognitive Tests for Both Biden and Trump

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has called for both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to release results of their physical and mental health tests. Pelosi, a senior member of the House Democratic Caucus, made this statement during an interview on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports."

"Both candidates owe whatever test you want to put them to, in terms of their mental acuity and their health — both of them," Pelosi emphasized, stressing the importance of transparency regarding the health of the presidential candidates.

Pelosi considers it a "legitimate question" to ask whether Biden's poor performance in last Thursday's debate was an isolated incident or indicative of a more persistent issue.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded later that day, reaffirming the administration's commitment to transparency about Biden's health. Jean-Pierre noted that the White House has already provided a thorough and transparent annual health report, suggesting that further cognitive testing was unnecessary.

When questioned about whether Biden had seen a doctor or undergone a neurological scan following the debate, Jean-Pierre avoided a direct response. She advised observers to "take a step back" and acknowledged that Biden had an off night.

During the debate, Biden frequently lost his train of thought and stumbled over his words, leading even his close allies to question his performance. This incident has reignited discussions about whether he should remain the Democratic nominee for president.

Trump, who is 78, has also faced scrutiny regarding his mental fitness. Earlier this year, he mistakenly referred to Pelosi as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Business executives who met with Trump in Washington, D.C., last month described him as "remarkably meandering" and unable to maintain a coherent train of thought.

At a campaign event on Friday, Biden, who is 81, acknowledged his age and admitted that he doesn't debate as effectively as he used to, but insisted he was still capable of handling the presidency.

Pelosi mentioned that there are mixed feelings among elected Democrats about Biden's candidacy. While some express unwavering support for Biden, others question his suitability for another term. Pelosi herself refrained from making a definitive judgment, stating that it ultimately rests with Biden to decide his future.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democrat in Congress to suggest Biden should exit the race. Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., conveyed on CNN that while the decision lies with the president, it’s essential to acknowledge the severity of Biden's debate performance.

Pelosi, emphasizing her lack of medical expertise, reiterated her belief in Biden's potential to continue being an effective president. She proposed that Biden should participate in unscripted interviews with serious journalists to demonstrate his capabilities directly to the American public.

"Not one, maybe two — a couple of those. I think that is essential," Pelosi stated, underlining the necessity of such interviews.

On Tuesday, ABC News announced that Biden would be interviewed by anchor George Stephanopoulos on Friday.

Pelosi also revealed that she hasn't spoken with Biden since the debate, a sentiment echoed by Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a former House Democratic whip and close Biden ally, during a separate interview on MSNBC.

The White House released Biden's latest health information in February 2023, following a routine physical exam. According to Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden remains a "healthy, vigorous 80-year-old male" fit for presidency, although the report did not include cognitive testing.

In November 2023, Trump’s physician issued a letter claiming the former president was in "excellent" physical and mental health, but the document lacked specific details on his health metrics.

Why This Matters: The health and cognitive abilities of presidential candidates are crucial for public confidence in their leadership. Transparency in health disclosures ensures voters are informed about the candidates' fitness for the demanding role of the presidency.

Key Takeaways:

• Pelosi calls for health and cognitive test results from both Biden and Trump.
• White House emphasizes transparency about Biden’s health, deems further cognitive tests unnecessary.
• Biden's debate performance raises concerns among some Democrats about his candidacy.
• Trump faces similar scrutiny over mental fitness after recent gaffes.
• Pelosi suggests Biden engage in unscripted interviews to address public concerns.