There was no ‘cover-up’ of Biden’s health: White House

The White House dismissed speculation that aides have purposely hidden any age-related slippage of President Joe Biden.

“There’s been no cover-up,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. “I know that is the narrative you all want.”

Jean-Pierre also downplayed calls from Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), for Biden to resign as “ridiculous.”

Biden “didn’t step down from campaigning or from running because he didn’t believe he could serve,” she said, repeating that it had “nothing to do with his health.”

While previewing Biden’s address to the nation on Wednesday night, Jean-Pierre recounted the day before he made his decision to step aside as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, 100 days before the election, and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor amid mounting pressure from members of his own party concerned about his age, mental acuity, and electoral prospects. In those critical hours, “he met with a small group of advisers on Saturday evening and with his family” before coming to his conclusion on Sunday afternoon, speaking with aides, and then circulating the letter, per Jean-Pierre.

The press secretary underscored that Biden had “no regrets” about how he handled the post-debate debacle and denied that he was “bullied” into making his announcement.

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“We don’t see ourself as a lame duck presidency,” she said.

Biden’s prime-time address is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.