Biden has Parkinsons? White House logs show disease expert visits; another Democrat urges him to quit race

Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota, an important battleground US state, has joined a growing group of House Democrats urging President Joe Biden to end his campaign for a second term.

On Saturday (July 6), Craig emphasised the high stakes involved and her belief that Biden stepping aside would be necessary to avoid a second term for Donald Trump.

This comes amid murmurs about the 81-year-old's capacity to lead America after his abysmal debate performance last month and as a New York Post report claims that Biden's doctor consulted with a Parkinson’s disease expert, at the White House.

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Does Biden have Parkinson's?

As per a New York Post report published Saturday, this year, Biden's doctor consulted with Dr. Kevin Cannard, a Parkinson’s disease expert.

The damning report is based on White House logs and comes amid questions about Biden's leadership and his advanced age.

As per the report, on January 17, Cannard, a Parkinson’s disease expert at Walter Reed Medical Center, met with Biden's doctor Kevin O'Connor at the White House. Reportedly, this was not a one-off visit, in fact, Cannard has visited the White House eight times since August 2023.

Biden, however, has consistently refused to take a cognitive test, dismissing the need for such an assessment.

In a recent ABC News interview on Friday (July 5), Biden reiterated that no one had suggested he needed a cognitive test.

"No one said I had to … they said I’m good," he said while asked if he had taken specific tests for cognitive capability.

He also dismissed the idea of taking an independent neurological and cognitive exam and releasing the results publicly, claiming, "I get a cognitive test every day… Everything I do—you know, not only am I campaigning, but I'm running the world."

Democrats call on Biden to quit election race

Craig joins Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Raul Grijalva, Seth Moulton, and Mike Quigley in urging Biden to step down.

In her statement on Saturday, Craig said, "This is not a decision I've come to lightly, but there is simply too much at stake to risk a second Donald Trump presidency."

Craig, who represents Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, is one of five House Democrats calling on Biden to withdraw from the race.

"That's why I respectfully call on President Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee for a second term as president and allow for a new generation of leaders to step forward," she said.

Craig said that she has "great respect," for Biden, but that the debate "coupled with the lack of forceful response from the president himself following that debate, I do not believe that the president can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump."

"Now is the time to be candid with ourselves."

"I appreciate loyalty. This isn't about loyalty, this is pragmatic politics to avoid a second Trump term."

(With inputs from agencies)