Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, speaks during an event to mark the launch of the Inflation Reduction Act at the White House in Washington, August 16, 2023.
Celel Gunes | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, both Democrats, said Tuesday it was fair to raise concerns about President Joe Biden’s health after he stumbled during his first debate with former President Donald Trump on Thursday.
“I think it’s a legitimate question to ask, ‘Is this an episode or is this a condition?’” Pelosi said in an MSNBC interview, adding that the question should be asked of both Biden and Trump.
In a separate interview on MSNBC shortly thereafter, Clyburn said it was reasonable to wonder whether Biden’s debate performance was a sign of a larger medical problem. “I’m going to have to wait until the medical experts weigh in. I’m not a doctor, so I have no idea how much of this is happening.”
Clyburn added that he plans to speak by phone with Biden later Tuesday.
In response to Pelosi and Clyburn’s comments, the White House said it was “fair” to question the president’s cognitive abilities but that the administration has been sufficiently transparent about his medical records.
“I understand the question. It’s a fair question,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a news conference Tuesday when asked about Pelosi’s comments. “With respect to his medical records, we have been transparent and have released thorough reports from his medical team every year.”
She added that Biden’s medical team did not believe he needed further cognitive testing despite his poor debate performance.
Jean-Pierre also said Biden’s physician, Kevin O’Connor, had no concerns about the president’s health after the debate. “There was absolutely no concern.”
Pelosi and Clyburn’s comments come as Democrats monitor the damage from Biden’s tough debate campaign, which has so far shown multiple polls showing the Biden-Trump rematch to be a near-tie.
A new CNN poll released Tuesday found Trump leading Biden by 6 points in a one-on-one matchup, unchanged from the April poll. The question had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
The poll was conducted among 1,045 registered voters from June 28 to 30, three days after the debate, and represents the immediate reactions of respondents.
Both Democrats have reiterated their support for Biden as long as he remains in the race.
“I hope this ticket continues to be Biden-Harris, and then we’ll see what happens after the next election,” Clyburn said.
President Joe Biden is welcomed by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn as he arrives at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in West Columbia, South Carolina, on Jan. 27, 2024.
Kent Nishimura | AFP | Getty Images
Clyburn and Pelosi are two of Biden’s closest allies. Clyburn, in particular, was instrumental in Biden’s 2020 victory, as his support provided crucial momentum and helped the president build support among black voters.
But their comments Tuesday were the first by major Democrats to publicly express recent concerns about their ability to mount a winnable campaign against President Trump.
Hours after Pelosi’s appearance on MSNBC, her spokesman, Ian Craig, doubled down on his support for the president.
“Speaker Pelosi has full confidence in President Biden and looks forward to attending the Inauguration on January 20, 2025,” Craiger said in a statement to CNBC.
Although Pelosi has tried to emphasize her support for Biden, her early admission that she has concerns about the president has opened the door for other party members to follow suit.
Texas Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett on Tuesday became the first Democrat to formally call on Biden to drop out of the race.
“Unlike Trump, I hope that President Biden will recognize that his first promise has always been to our country, not himself, and that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,” Doggett said in a news release. “I respectfully urge him to do so.”
A Biden campaign official said in a statement to NBC News that the president “will participate” in the race.
Late Tuesday, Democratic challenger Adam Frisch, who narrowly beat Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado last election cycle, followed suit. “We deserve better. President Biden should do what’s best for the country and get out of the race.”
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pelosi and Clyburn’s TV appearance.
