Photos of President Joe Biden with visible marks on his face raised increased questions about his health this week. Biden’s status as the nation’s oldest president and recent polling data indicate a broader concern about his ability to serve another term.
Following a press event that showed the indentations Wednesday, the White House announced that Biden, 80, has been using a CPAP device to treat sleep apnea.
According to White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates, Biden disclosed his condition in 2008.
“He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,” Bates said.
Furthermore, the use of the device may also correlate with a number of other medical concerns. In 2019, it was revealed that Biden has undergone a number of procedures related to his breathing.
Furthermore, the president’s 2021 physical indicated that Biden had an “increasing frequency and severity of ‘throat clearing’ and coughing during speaking engagements.'”
NBC POLL: Biden's approval rating "sits at just 43%."
"A full 68% of voters — including 43% of Democrats, which is twice what it was in 2020 — say they are concerned that Biden does not have the necessary mental and physical health to be president." pic.twitter.com/4WPnuhDQo3
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 25, 2023
Several recent polls show that the American public is doubtful about Biden being able to effectively serve another term.
According to an NBC News poll released last weekend, 68% stated that they had serious concerns about the president’s health. This compared to just 32% who stated the opposite.
Despite closeness in age, a significantly smaller number expressed concern about the health of former President Donald Trump.
Last month, an ABC News/Washington Post poll found a similar result.
Among adults, 63% said that they do not believe that the president has the “mental sharpness” to effectively serve in the White House.
This compared to just 32% who said the opposite. Furthermore, a clear majority, at 62% said that Biden was not in “good enough physical health” to serve in office. This is rebutted by just 33% of the public.
Similar to the more recent poll, 54% of voters said that Trump had the mental sharpness to effectively serve. A larger majority of 64% said that the former president had the physical fitness for the job.
