Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has vowed to be “totally transparent” on his health if elected but stressed that “anything can happen.”
Biden added that he would be transparent with “urgency” if anything were to happen to his health, adding, “when it occurs, when anything occurs, anything can happen.”
He noted that he has previously been open about his health records during his time as vice president.
“That’s what I did,” Biden said. “I laid out my health records, more detail, pages and pages of it when I became vice president. I laid it all out, everything, my entire background relating to my health.”
“I’ve laid out my health records in terms of this time around and the investigations in my health, made when I was at Walter Reed, in terms of by Walter Reed docs, by my docs right now, and thank God I am in good health.”
“But here’s the deal, anything could happen. I’ve become a great respecter of fate, a great respecter of fate. I’ve seen too much of it in my family related to accidents alone. And so I guarantee you, I guarantee you, I will be totally transparent in terms of my health and all aspects of my health.”
Biden, 77, also laughed off comments from President Donald Trump who previously branded him “Sleepy Joe” and has repeatedly suggested Biden is in cognitive decline.
“And when it comes to Donald Trump vs. me, just look at us, ok?” Biden said. “Just look at us. Who seems to be in shape? Who is able to move around? I mean this idea of ‘Slow Joe,’ I shouldn’t laugh about it. Donald Trump, just look at us both, watch us and determine whether or not you think I’m misleading anyone.”
Biden noted his previous experience as vice president, adding that he knows “what the job takes” as President.
“I have sat for hundreds of hours in the Situation Room. For eight years, I was vice president, on every major decision. I know how difficult the job is. And one more thing I‘ll do; I’ll take responsibility. I‘ll acknowledge my mistakes when I make them and I’ll level with the American people.”
Biden’s comment comes shortly after speculation earlier this month that Trump’s unscheduled visit to Walter Reed Hospital last year was due to him having suffered a series of strokes.
“It never ends!” he wrote. “Now they are trying to say that your favorite President, me, went to Walter Reed Medical Center, having suffered a series of mini-strokes. Never happened to THIS candidate—FAKE NEWS. Perhaps they are referring to another candidate from another Party!”
Dr. Sean Conley, the physician to the president, also clarified reports on his supposedly deteriorating health, noting that the President “remains healthy.”
“I can confirm that President Trump has not experienced nor been evaluated for a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), transient ischemic attack (mini stroke), or any acute cardiovascular emergencies, as have been incorrectly reported in the media,” Coney said in response to reports.
He added: “The President remains healthy and I have no concerns about his ability to maintain the rigorous schedule ahead of him. As stated in my last report, I expect him to remain fit to execute the duties of the Presidency.”
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