Questions raised about medically juicing Biden for debate

With President Joe Biden physically drained by one long European trip and now off to southern Italy for the annual Group of Seven economic summit, expectations are growing that he will return for a long Camp David rest to prepare for the first 2024 debate on June 27 with former President Donald Trump.

Some are speculating that Biden, seen Monday night standing stiff and unconnected to the White House celebration of Juneteenth on the South Lawn, may be medically revitalized during his visit to the Maryland presidential resort.

Kellyanne Conway, a former White House adviser to Trump, suggested on Fox on Wednesday that Biden might get juiced.

"I wonder what's going to happen with him medically at Camp David for 10 days because we have no hard evidence that Joe Biden can stand anywhere, let alone at a podium, intimidated by Donald Trump feet away from him for 90 minutes without a teleprompter," she said, according to a post on X.

Similar suggestions were aired after Biden's recent State of the Union address, in which he appeared engaged and lingered long after to socialize with politicians in the House chamber.

Trump, for example, rumored that Biden was on stimulating drugs. At one point, when the president verbally stumbled, Trump said on social media, "THE DRUGS ARE WEARING OFF!" He has also called for pre-debate drug tests.

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Biden spent the weekend in France, attending D-Day anniversary events and a state visit. He returned briefly to the White House, where he was seen frozen on the South Lawn during a musical performance that had those around him dancing in place. He left for Italy on Wednesday.

Biden's plans for debate preparation have not been announced. News reports suggest he plans to spend several days at Camp David, where media are not allowed.