During a January meeting with congressional leaders, President Biden spoke so softly that some participants struggled to hear him, according to five sources.
He read from notes, paused frequently, and sometimes closed his eyes for extended periods. In a February Oval Office meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Biden reportedly misremembered a policy change, raising concerns about his memory.
Last year, during debt ceiling negotiations, Biden’s demeanor varied, with some days showing sharpness and others reliance on notes, according to then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
At 81, Biden’s age and cognitive fitness are major issues in his re-election campaign, though the White House insists he remains a vigorous leader.
