Joe Biden, 80, completes his routine medical checkup on Thursday, a crucial step for the oldest president ever elected in the United States, who “intends” to
run
again in 2024. The White House has promised to broadcast the report from the president's doctor, as she had already done in November 2021, during the Democrat's previous health check.
The document will obviously be read with even more attention, as the campaign for 2024 has already begun.
Joe Biden, despite lackluster polls, has been repeating for some time that he
"intends"
to run, and therefore perhaps face his predecessor Donald Trump, already officially in the race.
But he assured, just a few days ago, that he had not made a
"final"
decision .
On November 19, 2021, the Democrat, who also wants this transparency on his health to distinguish himself from the former Republican president, had already submitted to a complete examination.
Joe Biden had undergone a colonoscopy that day, under general anesthesia.
He had transferred his powers for an hour and twenty-five minutes to Vice President Kamala Harris, who briefly became the first woman to hold presidential prerogatives in the history of the United States.
The doctor, Kevin O'Connor, had painted a portrait of a man
"in good health"
,
"vigorous"
and
"fit"
to fulfill his heavy duty.
But he had also taken on the burden of age, with its share of medications to take and minor ailments.
Aptitude tests
The practitioner had noted Joe Biden's stiffer gait, attributing it to a "mild" nerve condition affecting his feet.
He had also reported a frequent cough, caused by gastroesophageal reflux.
Joe Biden does not smoke, drink, play sports, and has had no major health concerns since undergoing brain surgery in 1988.
He tested positive for Covid-19 last July, without showing any serious form of the disease.
The American president has so far shown an endurance unusual for his age, linking public interventions and trips.
But his age is a frequent angle of attack from the Republican opposition.
Some opponents of the president even assure that he would no longer have all his head, given certain moments of confusion and his slurred speech.
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Nikki Haley, a 51-year-old Republican who has just entered the race for 2024, called on Wednesday for intellectual aptitude tests for any elected official over 75.
This would also apply to former President Donald Trump, 76, whom she challenges with her candidacy.
The former ambassador to the UN hopes to capitalize on a desire for renewal among the American electorate, which according to the polls does not want a second term for Biden more than a new Trump presidency.
If he does, Joe Biden will face both the rigors of an election campaign and the demands of his office.
So far, he answers questions about his age with jokes, or with this pirouette:
"Watch me at work!"
.