In a recent development, it has been reported that Joe Biden's doctor held a meeting with a prominent neurologist at the White House earlier this year. This revelation comes after Biden refused to take an independent cognitive test and release its findings publicly, following his widely criticized performance in the presidential TV debate with Donald Trump.

According to the New York Post, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who has been treating the president for years, had a meeting with Dr. Kevin Cannard, a Parkinson's disease expert at Walter Reed medical center. The meeting took place at the White House residence clinic on January 17. It is worth noting that Cannard has visited the White House on eight occasions since August 2023, with seven of those visits involving discussions with Megan Nasworthy, a liaison between Walter Reed and the White House.

Biden has consistently rejected the idea of taking any cognitive test, including a statement in August 2020 where he dismissed a reporter's question. His aides have confirmed that he has not received any cognitive test during his three annual physical exams as president.

The Washington Post reported a White House aide stating that Dr. O'Connor, who has been Biden's doctor since 2009, has never recommended a cognitive test for the president. O'Connor has emphasized that his primary responsibility is to offer Biden an affirmative "Good morning, Mr. President" to set him off on the right track each day.

During a recent interview with ABC News, Biden was asked about specific tests for cognitive capability. He responded by saying that no one had suggested he needed one and that he was deemed to be in good health. He later mentioned that he undergoes a cognitive test every day, stating that his activities as president involve running the world.

Earlier this year, when the issue of cognitive tests arose, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, defended Dr. O'Connor's decision not to administer a cognitive test. The White House accused critics, including special counsel Robert Hur, of engaging in a partisan smear campaign. Biden himself stated that he was a "well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory" and firmly denied any memory issues.

The recent visits by Dr. Kevin Cannard, the neurology specialist supporting the White House medical unit, have raised additional questions about President Biden's mental abilities. This follows his debate with Donald Trump, during which he made several verbal mistakes. In a radio interview, he even incorrectly proclaimed himself as the "first Black woman to serve with a Black president."

Cannard, who has been serving as a neurology specialist since 2012, has published academic papers, including one focusing on the early stages of the brain degenerative disorder Parkinsonism. Former White House doctor Ronny Jackson has previously called for Biden to undergo a cognitive exam and accused Dr. O'Connor and Biden's family of attempting to conceal any issues with the president's mental abilities.

In response to the criticism, the White House initially denied but later confirmed that Biden had seen a doctor following the debate. They attributed his performance to a cold, excessive preparation, and jet lag. President Biden himself simply admitted to having made mistakes.

With the ongoing debate surrounding Biden's cognitive health, the question of whether he will undergo an independent neurological and cognitive exam and release the results remains unanswered. As the president continues to carry out his duties, scrutiny regarding his mental capacity persists, leaving many to wonder about the implications for his leadership.