It’s nothing to sneeze at.
President Biden’s persistent coughing and clearing his throat while addressing the public sparked questions at the White House briefing on Thursday about the health of the president — after he paused several times to clear his throat during his speech on tax hikes minutes earlier.
“Many of us were in the East Room watching the president, we’ve seen him on many occasions where he had a repeated cough. What is the situation with that cough and is it a concern?” asked NBC News’ Kelly O’Donnell.
“It’s not a concern,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
“We have a doctor who travels with him, obviously who checks in if it is ever warranted, and certainly that continues to be the case, as it has been since the beginning of his presidency,” she added.
“Is there an explanation for why he coughs so frequently in situations like that?” O’Donnell pressed.
“I don’t think it’s an issue of concern. I think there are a range of reasons why we may need to clear our throat or we may have a little light cold, and that’s certainly something that presidents, elected officials, reporters, spokespeople can confront,” Psaki responded, ignoring the frequency with which Biden’s public comments have been interrupted by his phlegmy delivery.
Later in the briefing, Psaki was asked when Biden would get a physical examination.
“I know this is an understandable question. I don’t have an update. He will get one soon. And when he does, we will make sure you all are aware of it and get the information,” she said.
Biden, 78, often stops during speeches or public remarks to clear his throat.
It’s become so common that the hashtag #Bidencough exists on social media.
“Biden coughing, gagging and phlegm gurgling is making me ill. Every television speech full of this. Give the man water PLEASE,” one user wrote on Twitter after the president’s East Room speech.
After he coughed and was hoarse while speaking in December after the Electoral College confirmed his victory in the 2020 election, aides said he was suffering from a slight cold.
More recently, the president hacked at several points during a speech Monday in California in support of Gov. Gavin Newsom in the recall election, causing him to apologize and even pause to take a sip of water.
During the presidential campaign, his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, told the Wall Street Journal that Biden is fit to serve as president, but also noted that he is being treated for high cholesterol, acid reflux disease and seasonal allergies.
Acid reflux often forces him to clear his throat, O’Connor said.
“This may also contribute to occasional cough and sinus congestion,” O’Connor wrote in a medical statement. “He has received endoscopy to rule out any more significant disease.”