President’s Doctor Declares Him Fit for Office

He completed his annual physical exam on Friday.

President Joe Biden visited Walter Reed Medical Center Friday as part of a routine physical check-up. Kevin O’Connor, physician to the president, broadly determined the president to be in good health.

“President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous, 78-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,” Dr. O’Connor wrote in a six-page summary of the president’s physical.

Dr. O’Connor did highlight two areas that he said warranted further investigation — specifically President Biden’s recent “throat-clearing” and what he described as a stiffened gait. 

“The President’s gait appears to be perceptibly stiffer and less fluid than it has been in the past. He does specifically acknowledge early morning stiffness that improves throughout the day,” the doctor said.

O’Connor noted President Biden’s broken foot, which he suffered roughly a year ago, could contribute to the awkward walk, but he more broadly assessed the president was dealing with spinal arthritis and “peripheral neuropathy,” meaning some loss of sensation in the feet.

The throat-clearing could be allergies or GERD, and the president takes medicatons for both.

He also underwent a colonoscopy and no cause for concern was found. He transferred power to Vice President Harris for 85 minutes while under anesthesia for the procedure.

The president told reporters Friday afternoon he was feeling “great” following his check-up and joked, “I’m looking forward to celebrating my 58th birthday.”