Representative Ronny Jackson, a Texas Republican who previously served as the White House doctor during the Trump administration, was criticized after he suggested that President Joe Biden needs a "cognitive exam" after Biden mistakenly told the White House press pool that he has COVID-19.
Biden made the error while attempting to tell the White House press pool that Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, had tested positive for the virus.
Biden said the “First Lady’s husband” contracted COVID but was quickly corrected by a staff member.
President Biden mistakenly referred to 'the first lady's husband' contracting COVID before correcting himself to say it was Vice President Kamala Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, who had tested positivepic.twitter.com/XvyoyzS6xb— Reuters (@Reuters) 1647413100
The incident prompted Jackson to declare that Biden is "LOST" and that he "needs a COGNITIVE EXAM now!!"
Biden was LOST today. He announced he had COVID. He confused his wife with Kamala. He confused HIMSELF with Kamala\u2019s husband. Then he fumbled remembering the name of his UN Ambassador. All in under 15 minutes. This is BAD! He needs a COGNITIVE EXAM now!!— Ronny Jackson (@Ronny Jackson) 1647390044
The suggestion Biden is "mentally frail" has become a favorite talking point in conservative circles.
However, claims Biden has a cognitive impairment are unfounded.
In September 2020, ABC News reported the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withheld intelligence warning of Russian disinformation attacking Biden to promote "allegations about poor mental health."
The intelligence bulletin, titled "Russia Likely to Denigrate Health of US Candidates to Influence 2020 Election," said American intelligence determined Russian operatives are sowing disinformation to convince the American electorate Biden has dementia and would be unfit to serve in office.
But the fact that the bulletin has discredited allegations about Biden's mental health has not stopped prominent conservatives from claiming that Biden is very much at the mercy of his handlers.
Jackson was immediately criticized.
Seriously, wtf is wrong with @RonnyJacksonTX - people actually voted for this man?https://twitter.com/ronnyjacksontx/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— Nic \ud83d\udc1d (@Nic \ud83d\udc1d) 1647456287
Looking at @RonnyJacksonTX twitter feed, he seems lost. Inconsistent. Guessing there are cognitive issues here. Seek help!https://twitter.com/ronnyjacksontx/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— Do it for RBG \ud83e\udddc\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f (@Do it for RBG \ud83e\udddc\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f) 1647449278
He has a lifetime stuttering issue and must double think EVERYTHING he says, a problem You can't Possibly imagine. Are you making fun of a physiological challenge or just plain ignorant? I think the latter, re: #Texans @GOP says it all.https://twitter.com/RonnyJacksonTX/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— SirStefanXIII\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\u262e\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\u262e\ufe0f\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\uddfa (@SirStefanXIII\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\u262e\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\u262e\ufe0f\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\uddfa) 1647399793
Ronny Jackson is the same guy who got the nickname "candyman" when he was White House doctor and said Donald Trump's "very good genes" would allow him to live 200 years.\n\nJust saying, his diagnosis might be questionable. https://twitter.com/RonnyJacksonTX/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— \u2618\ufe0f Dayton Pub Cat! \u2618\ufe0f (@\u2618\ufe0f Dayton Pub Cat! \u2618\ufe0f) 1647443773
My grandma had 4 kids and 9 grandchildren. She was ALWAYS messing up our names, but she knew exactly who we were. No dementia, no Alzheimer\u2019s. As impressive the brain is, it\u2019s capacity still has a limit. This can be a known as interference, which many healthy brains have. https://twitter.com/ronnyjacksontx/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— Michelle (@Michelle) 1647448325
I don't even know my own kids names sometimes. Can Ronny ever stfu?https://twitter.com/RonnyJacksonTX/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— Vaccinated 'Lieutenant Corporal' Manager (@Vaccinated 'Lieutenant Corporal' Manager) 1647455913
Report this for abuse! Just pure LIES and more LIES. \n\nHard to believe any sane person could vote for this mess.https://twitter.com/RonnyJacksonTX/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— Think 1st #Fight the \ud83e\udda0-Vax, Mask, Ventilate\ud83d\udc95\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99 (@Think 1st #Fight the \ud83e\udda0-Vax, Mask, Ventilate\ud83d\udc95\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99) 1647449662
Hey Ron, you think that is bad? You accepted a job from Donald Trump and actually believed everything he said. https://twitter.com/ronnyjacksontx/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— Ktdidfl (@Ktdidfl) 1647472361
Biden has his faculties. He occasionally stammers, a problem since he was a child. Stop being more concerned w/your Republican buddies than w/the health of America. Do you know any of the Repubs that've met with Moscow? You might want to check that out before you go any further!https://twitter.com/RonnyJacksonTX/status/1503888962326302722\u00a0\u2026— Judith Hand (@Judith Hand) 1647413830
This isn't the first time Jackson has suggested that Biden is cognitively impaired.
Last August, Jackson claimed Biden is no longer “cognitively prepared to be our president,” joining the chorus of Republicans who criticized Biden over his administration's handling of the crisis in Afghanistan that unfolded when the Taliban stepped into the power vacuum following the fall of Kabul.
At the time, Jackson said the United States is "looking horrible right now on the world stage" and called for him to resign because "it’s time for him to move on and it’s time for somebody else to do this job."
Just months before, Jackson sent a letter to Physician to the President Kevin O’Connor and Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci demanding that Biden take a cognitive test. 14 House Republicans also signed the letter.
Jackson has been a largely controversial figure since his days as the White House doctor. During a January 2018 press briefing, Jackson vouched for Trump's health, saying his neurological functions are excellent and assuring the press corps that he would be able to serve his entire term.
Jackson was widely mocked after adding that Trump likely had "incredible genes" that allowed him to remain healthy despite a lack of exercise and a taste for fast food.
