He might be taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Republican Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas, a former White House physician, stirred controversy on Sunday by suggesting that President Joe Biden undergo drug testing before and after Thursday’s presidential debate.
“I’m going to insist on behalf of millions of concerned Americans that he undergo a drug test before and after this debate, specifically to check for performance-enhancing drugs,” Jackson stated during an interview with Fox News.
These claims, which lack evidence, have emerged alongside criticisms of Biden’s age and mental fitness as he campaigns for another term at 81. Former President Donald Trump, aged 78, has also faced scrutiny over his cognitive abilities, notably when he mistakenly referred to Jackson as “Ronny Johnson” during a recent rally.
Jackson’s remarks echoed Trump’s own unfounded allegations made at a rally in Philadelphia, where Trump suggested Biden might receive a shot to enhance his debate performance.
In response to Jackson’s comments, a White House spokesperson referred to a statement by Andrew Bates last month, where Bates dismissed such accusations as a reflection of Republican officials’ ongoing intimidation by President Biden’s State of the Union performance. Bates suggested that these officials confuse Biden’s confidence with claims about drug use.
The issue of drug testing has surfaced in previous election cycles. In 2020, before a general election debate, Trump indicated his willingness to take a drug test and suggested Biden should do the same. Similar discussions arose in October 2016, when Trump proposed drug testing before a debate with then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Jackson, a staunch ally of Trump, has faced scrutiny himself, notably withdrawing his nomination as head of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2018 amidst allegations of misconduct, including claims of distributing prescription drugs without proper documentation. Jackson denied these allegations, which resurfaced in a 2021 report from the Defense Department inspector general, alleging abusive behavior and sexual harassment, which Jackson also denied.
