Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fox News segment takes a turn when doctor refuses to back up anchor’s theories on Biden’s mental state

‘I don’t know if we can really draw any conclusions’, said guest on Sunday show

Gino Spocchia
Monday 19 September 2022 17:59 BST
Comments
Related video: Joe and Jill Biden arrive at Westminster Abbey for Queen’s funeral

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A doctor threw off a Fox News segment for a brief moment at the weekend after anchor Anita Vogel suggested that US President Joe Biden had experienced mental decline while visiting London.

Ms Vogel commented on Mr Biden’s signing of a book of condolence at Lancaster House on Sunday when she said the Democrat had shown signs of “cognitive decline”.

The 79-year-old, who has faced similar claims from Republicans and his processor Donald Trump, had been filmed by television cameras asking his wife where they were going after signing the book of condelence in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death last week.

“So the president made some nice remarks their about his thoughts on the Queen and then he seemed confused as to what he was supposed to do next,” Ms Vogel said to Fox News viewers. “We’ve seen scenes like this before”.

Turning to a doctor who was a guest on the show, Nicole Saphier, Ms Vogel then asked: “As you observe the president, as a doctor, what do you see?”

“Well you know, that very small snippet right there could just be the fact that, obviously, his wife runs the show and he seems to always just look to her and ask, ‘Now what do I do?’” said Dr Saphier, who cast doubt on the anchor’s earlier comments.

She continued: “I don’t know if we can really draw any conclusions about his mental capacity there.”

Republican allegations surrounding Mr Biden’s mental health began during the 2020 election campaign when Mr Trump – himself aged 76 – challenged his then-opponent to an IQ test.

That came after the former president said he completed an assessment he described as “difficult” but included repeating words like “Person, woman, man, camera, TV”.

Mr Biden, whose doctors say does not show signs of ill health, wote a message describing the Queen’s reign as one of “enduring...devotion”, according to The Telegraph.

He said in a statement issued afterwards that he remembered the 96-year-old for being “decent, honourable, and all about service,” before attending the funeral service with First Lady Jill Biden on Monday with other world leaders.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in