Biden refuses independent neurological test, writes off bad debate in ABC interview

MADISON, Wis. (TND) — In a high-stakes interview with ABC News Friday, President Joe Biden owned up to his poor showing at the first presidential debate but refused to undergo a cognitive test when pressed by host George Stephanopoulos.

The pre-recorded interview, characterized by the New York Times as a “gamble” for the Biden campaign, comes at a critical time for the president to reverse rapidly deteriorating public sentiment following his debate with former President Donald Trump. During the debate, Biden often appeared confused and frequently failed to finish sentences, lending credibility to those who questioned the 81-year-old’s ability to effectively serve a second term.

Speaking in the same rambling fragments and hoarse tone as last Thursday's debate, Biden blamed his poor showing against former President Trump on a prolonged cold and said he had felt ill since returning from overseas travel over one week prior to the debate. He said doctors evaluated him for COVID-19 or "some infection," but diagnosed the condition as just "a really bad cold."