Cognitive test for Biden? Aides debated but dropped the idea, book reveals

Joe Biden’s staff last year explored the possibility of the then-president taking a cognitive test but eventually dropped the idea, a book is set to reveal. Biden’s mental health and his cognitive abilities were a major poll issue ahead of the 2024 presidential elections. The 82-year-old leader had to drop out of the presidential race following his dismal performance in the presidential debate with then-Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Now, a new book, titled “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,” written by three experienced American political journalists, has brought to light discussions among Biden’s staff. According to a report in the New York Times, one of whose journalists is a co-author of the book, Biden’s aides had serious conversations about administering a cognitive test.

“Biden’s aides were confident that he would pass a cognitive test, according to the book, but they worried that the mere fact of his taking one would raise new questions about his mental abilities,” the paper said.

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The book reveals that the discussions took place around February last year.

Although no such test was conducted, Biden’s poor performance in the debate forced him to step aside and make way for then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The Biden White House would remain reluctant to discuss details about the president’s health, but it used to release annual updates from the White House physician about his physicals, something that Trump never did.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had released limited information about his health. The primary disclosure was a doctor’s letter that claimed he would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” This statement, however, was not accompanied by extensive medical records or detailed health information.

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In a March interview, Trump again mocked Biden, saying the “only thing” he loved about his predecessor was his “ability to fall asleep within minutes.”

“He’d go to a beach, lay down on a cot – barely able to get his feet through the sand – he’d lay down and within minutes he’s sleeping and have cameras watching.”

“I would never be able to sleep like that. That’s the only thing that I think that was wonderful,” the US president added.

During Biden’s time in the White House, Trump repeatedly called him “Sleepy Joe.” During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump even criticised Biden for spending too much time at the beach and even sleeping in a swimsuit, according to the New York Post.