Doctors express concern about Biden’s apparent cognitive issues during debate: 'Troubling indicators'

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The first presidential debate of 2024 left many Americans and even some traditional Democratic allies wondering about President Biden’s mental fitness for office based on what appeared to be his unclear train of thought at times and his raspy voice on Thursday night.

The White House responded to these concerns, claiming that the president, who is 81, was fighting a cold, but some doctors said they perceive the health issues go beyond the sniffles.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon who specializes in cognitive function, told Fox News Digital on Friday about his concerns.

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"President Biden's performance in [Thursday] night’s debate reignited longstanding discussions about his cognitive abilities and his overall leadership capacity," Osborn told Fox News Digital.

"Throughout the evening, Biden struggled to maintain a coherent narrative, often losing his train of thought mid-sentence, and providing vague, rambling and undecipherable answers to highly critical questions," said Osborn, expressing his professional opinion.

"His frequent pauses, stumbling over words and reliance on notes underscored concerns about his mental acuity," Osborn added.

These seeming signs of cognitive decline highlight a "growing inability" to manage the complexities required by the