Biden responds to criticisms about his physical fitness and cognitive abilities
President of the US, Joe Biden (photo: Getty Images)
President Joe Biden, in a televised interview with ABC, declined an independent medical examination that would confirm his readiness for another term in office. He attributed his falter in debates with Donald Trump to a bad episode, stating that there are no signs of any serious illness, reports AP.
"Look, I have a cognitive test every single day," Biden told ABC correspondent, referring to the challenges he faces in his work. "Every day, I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I’m running the world," Biden said.
He insists he is no weaker than during his presidency. The President said he undergoes constant examination by his doctors, and they won't hesitate to tell me if something is wrong.
"Can I run the 100 in 10 flat? No. But I’m still in good shape," Biden said.
As for the debate, “I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing,” he said.
The President admitted that Trump's attempts to disrupt him unsettled him. "I realized that, even when I was answering a question and they turned his mic off, he was still shouting and I let it distract me. I’m not blaming it on that. But I realized that I just wasn’t in control," he said.
Responding to how he can turn the race around, Biden expressed the belief that big and energetic rallies, like the ones he held in Wisconsin on Friday, would be key factors. When reminded that Trump typically draws larger crowds, the President criticized his opponent.
"Trump is a pathological liar," Biden said, accusing Trump of a failed federal government response to the COVID pandemic and inability to create jobs.
In the interview, Biden was asked how he could be persuaded to withdraw from the elections. He laughed and replied, "If the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that."
On the night of June 28 in the US, televised debates took place between Biden and Trump, the main contenders for the presidential seat. According to experts' assessments and public opinion polls, Trump emerged as the winner of the debates. Biden's performance was so unsuccessful that calls arose in the US for the Democratic Party to replace the presidential candidate.
Biden acknowledged that he performed poorly but has no plans to withdraw from the election.
