White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki insists that President Joe Biden’s repeated coughing during public appearances is not a cause for medical concern.
CBS News’ Kelly O’Donnell asked Psaki on Thursday, “Many of us were in the East Room watching the president. We’ve seen him on many occasions where he has a repeated cough. What is the situation with that cough, and is that a concern?”
“It’s not a concern. We have a doctor who travels with him obviously checks in if it is ever warranted,” Psaki responded.
O’Donnell asked, “Is there an explanation for why he coughs so frequently in situations like that? I’m sure you saw it.”
“I did. I don’t think it’s an issue of concern. There are a range of reasons why we need to clear our throat or have a little light cold. And that’s certainly something that presidents, elected officials, reporters, spokespeople can confront, but it’s not an area where we have a medical concern,” Psaki said.
Watch the video below:
.@PressSec is asked about Biden's repeated cough during press conferences:
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 16, 2021
"I don't think it's an issue of concern. There's a range of reasons why we need to clear our throat or have a light cold." pic.twitter.com/xTtgNiVm2s
Psaki said that the president will get a physical examination “soon.”
During remarks shortly before the press briefing, Biden’s comments were repeatedly interrupted by coughing.
In several public appearances earlier this week, Biden’s comments have been interrupted by a persistent cough that has caught the attention of reporters and other observers on social media.
Joe Biden, 78, coughs and splutters his way through ENTIRE speech endorsing Gov. Gavin Newsom https://t.co/rQYkrW9bJu
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) September 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/JonLemire/status/1438578736463585282
I’m not loving Biden’s cough at this rally.
— Kim Masters (@kimmasters) September 14, 2021
Biden in California: "You either keep Gavin Newsom as your governor (cough) or you'll get Donald Trump. It's not a joke." pic.twitter.com/KMnTXLKaS0
— DaybreakInsider (@DaybreakInsider) September 14, 2021
CNN’s Jeff Zeleny noted that a speech Biden gave to rally support for California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) was a “short speech that was punctuated with repeated coughing spells in the cool California night time air.”
"The rest of America is counting on you, but so am I," President Biden in his closing message to voters, delivering a short speech that was punctuated with repeated coughing spells in the cool California night time air.
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) September 14, 2021
Meanwhile, Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich noted that Biden, who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test for the virus on Monday.