The White House responded to a reporter’s question about marks that were seen on President Joe Biden’s face, saying they were caused by a machine that is used to treat sleep apnea.
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told news outlets Wednesday that Biden has sleep apnea and is using a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP machine, to treat it.
“Since 2008, the president has disclosed his history with sleep apnea in thorough medical reports. He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,” Bates said.
Based on his statement, it’s not clear how long Biden has used the device, although anonymous sources told CNN and other outlets that he has been using it for several weeks. The Epoch Times has contacted the White House for comment.
In 2019, Biden’s doctor released a health document saying that the then-Democratic candidate and former vice president has been dealing with sleep apnea for years. His condition “has been considered, but his symptoms have improved significantly after his sinus and nasal passage surgeries,” the document said.
Sleep apnea, considered common in the United States, is when breathing stops and starts while sleeping. The American Medical Association and other health groups say that about 30 million people in the United States have it.
During an appearance Wednesday with reporters, Biden was seen with marks across his face indicating that he was wearing some kind of wide strap. Many CPAP machines use such straps.
Age Concerns?
Still, at age 80, Biden’s health has become of increasing concern among American voters. A recent ABC News poll suggested that more and more U.S. voters believe Biden may be either too old or unfit to serve as president, while a range of right-leaning media outlets often focus on perceivably unusual statements or actions the president has done while in public.
Biden is the oldest person to serve as president, and both his age and health have been a focus of voters as he seeks a second, four-year term in the 2024 election. If he’s reelected in 2024, Biden would be 86 years old upon leaving office in January 2029.
In February, his doctor declared him healthy and “fit for duty” after a physical examination. The doctor’s report on Biden’s physical did not mention sleep apnea but said Biden has dealt with “sinus congestion for most of his life,” and that “sinus symptoms have improved after several sinus and nasal passage surgeries.”
In that same ABC poll, most voters believed former President Donald Trump, 77, was largely physically fit to perform the duties of president. Considered the leading GOP candidate, Trump hasn’t criticized Biden for his age but recently weighed in on Biden having fallen down at a public event earlier this month.
The White House later clarified that Biden was fine after he fell. In that incident, he dropped to his knees but was helped by White House officials while appearing at a U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony.
The White House responded to the video of Biden’s fall by saying that the president is “fine,” before adding on Twitter: “There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.”
However, some Republican 2024 candidates have brought up his age, including former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. While declaring her presidency in February, Haley said that candidates and members of Congress should undergo cognitive testing to determine whether they are fit for office, possibly reflecting on some Americans’ worries that a large number of elected officials are aging.
During the past Congressional session, a number of House Democratic leaders—then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), then-Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and then-Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)—were over the age of 80 years old. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), too, is age 81.
