President Joe Biden turned 80 years old this past November and appears to be suffering from cognitive decline, something which has led critics to question whether he is really in charge of his administration.
Those questions grew louder this week after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre momentarily suggested that former President Barack Obama is running the show.
“President Obama announced that—Pardon me, President Biden!”
According to Fox News, the slip-up came during a press conference on Tuesday as Jean-Pierre discussed Biden’s nominee to lead the World Bank.
“So today, as you all saw just an hour or so ago, President Obama announced that—Pardon me, President Biden!” Jean-Pierre said before catching herself.
“Whoa! Ahem, that is news. I know, we’re going back not forwards. We’ve gotta go forwards,” the press secretary added as the assembled journalists laughed.
However, some Twitter users were quick to argue that businessman Ajay Banga was nominated as World Bank head under the direction of Obama.
“Obama is in his 3rd term”
This is not a slip of tongue, she was just reading notes. Its president Obama who has appointed Ajay Banga as president of World Bank.
Ajay Banga was CEO of mastercard, who had written to US govt complaining against Modi Govt for promoting Rupay Card. pic.twitter.com/RPBL38urjE
— Facts (@BefittingFacts) February 24, 2023
One observer noted that Jean-Pierre’s comment wasn’t a one-off, as former White House press secretary Jen Psaki once made a similar statement.
We know Obama is in his 3rd term
Jen Psaki & Karine Jean-Pierre both reminded us of that, said “President Obama” instead of Biden pic.twitter.com/8mJFlXrA3P— Top Secret (@ICU1010) February 24, 2023
Jean-Pierre’s remarks came just over a week after White House physician Kevin O’Connor presented a glowing report on Biden, deeming him to be “healthy” and “vigorous.”
Former White House doctor: Administration “concealing the truth” on Biden’s health
However, former White House physician and current Texas Republican Rep. Ronnie Jackson disagreed with O’Connor’s assessment.
“The majority of Americans can see that Biden’s mental health is in total decline, yet there is no transparency from the White House on what’s going on, if anything, to address this issue and his inability to do his job,” Jackson told Fox News last Friday.
“Yesterday’s written physical exam report released by Biden’s physician, Kevin O’Connor, further confirms that this administration is still adamant about concealing the truth,” he continued.
“Nowhere in the report was there mention of Biden’s deteriorating mental health,” the conservative congressman complained.