Fox News has apparently shifted their rhetoric to questioning President Biden's "stamina," judging by a recent interaction between Fox News reporter Hillary Vaughn and Representative Katie Porter on the street.
Vaughn was apparently trying to catch Porter in a gotcha about President Biden's need to take time off after a root canal procedure on Monday, as though it calls into question the President's stamina to serve a second term in office. But Porter had the perfect response.
Vaughn asked Porter:
"He had to take off work for a root canal, do you think he has the stamina for a second term?"
Porter's simple mic drop response:
"Have you ever had a root canal?"
\u201cserious Fox News reporter Hillary Vaughn to Katie Porter: "[Biden] had to take off work for a root canal. Do you think he has the stamina for a second term?"\n\nPorter: "Have you ever had a root canal?"\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
Rep. Porter subsequently wished the President well on Twitter.
\u201cWishing @JoeBiden a speedy recovery! \ud83e\uddb7\u201d— Katie Porter (@Katie Porter) 1686702444
For any of you who haven't had the pleasure of going through a root canal procedure, here's a description from the American Association of Endodontists:
"A root canal is performed when the endodontist removes the infected pulp and nerve in the root of the tooth, cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the space. Afterward, your dentist will place a crown on the tooth to protect and restore it to its original function."
Patients can opt to have the procedure done under local anesthesia (the kind where they jab you in the gums and inject medicine to numb the area), or general anesthesia (where you go to sleep and wake up after the procedure is done). Some people are able to resume normal activities immediately, while for others recovery can take up to a few days.
President Biden reportedly did not undergo general anesthesia for the procedure, so it was not necessary to invoke the 25th Amendment and have Vice President Kamala Harris serve as acting President during the procedure.
Needing to take the day off after a root canal is not at all uncommon, and it is not surprising that the President needed a bit of a break after having the inside of one of his teeth drilled out.
People loved Porter's incredulous response.
\u201c@atrupar That look on her face, though.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
\u201c@atrupar Boom.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
\u201c@atrupar Someone please put \u201chave you ever had a root canal\u201d on a whiteboard.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
\u201c@atrupar God I love Katie Porter\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
\u201c@atrupar Do you know how many times I watched that just to enjoy Katie Porter giving her that look?\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
Others affirmed that needing some R&R after a root canal is completely normal.
\u201c@atrupar As a person who has ALL my teeth removed and had full upper and lower implants done, I can assure you that a day or two for a root canal is perfectly acceptable. Especially if the roots are filled and the cavity is packed. Full root removal def makes the pain easier to deal with.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
\u201c@atrupar The most painful thing ever!!! I\u2019d rather give birth!!!\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
\u201c@atrupar Root canal is often extremely painful and exhausting. Do people not realize that?\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
Some pointed out that Fox News' former favorite wasn't exactly diligent when he was sick.
\u201c@jayblackisfunny @atrupar He pretended to work during COVID. That was cute.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1686698883
While some people can bounce back from a root canal and immediately go back to work, everybody is different.
