Multiple prominent Republicans, including party nominee and former President Donald Trump, are calling for President Joe Biden to submit to a drug test before the first presidential debate in June, alleging that the 81-year-old executive is given a cocktail of performance-enhancing substances ahead of public appearances to cover up his declining physical and mental condition.
The president’s Republican critics specifically point to his State of the Union address in March, when Biden seemed far more energetic and coherent than he had during speeches in the weeks preceding the event. While some suggested that his performance only surpassed expectations given the extremely low bar that had been set for him, others claimed that the president’s renewed vitality came from a hefty dose of steroids and cognitive boosters.
“The truth of the matter is if you saw the State of the Union and you watched that performance, it was surreal. There was something going on, and if we could find the truth of what it was, we’re all better off,” South Carolina Senator Tim Scott told Fox News on Sunday. “If it takes artificial stimulation to make the President of the United States perform, how often can he do that?”
When asked whether the president should provide samples for a drug test before returning to the debate stage, Scott replied “Why not?”
Learn the benefits of becoming a Valuetainment Member and subscribe today!
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) also called for drug testing, saying “We’re talking about someone who has the ability to launch nukes.”
Luna further added that questions about Biden’s mental faculties are at the center of House Republicans’ efforts to obtain audio recordings of the president’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur.
There should be required drugs tests before the debates.
pic.twitter.com/ugsi2nFfo7— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) May 19, 2024
Related: 86% of Americans Think Biden is Too Old for Office After Special Counsel Report
In a separate Fox interview last week, North Carolina Rep. Greg Murphy, a former surgeon, stated that “Joe Biden must have been jacked up on something that day” during the State of the Union.
“I absolutely believe that from a medical viewpoint, actually I have a little bit of good knowledge that that happened,” he said. “He can’t stand it. He can’t stand under the lights for that long. And I don’t think he can keep a concept in his brain that long.”
Donald Trump is the highest profile candidate to endorse the idea of drug testing his presidential rival, telling rally attendees in Minnesota that “I just want to debate this guy … and I’m going to demand a drug test too.”
“I don’t want him coming in like the State of the Union. He was high as a kite,” Trump added. “I said is that Joe up there? … And by the end of the evening … he was exhausted, right? No, we’re going to demand a drug test.”
As Valuetainment previously reported, after months of remaining noncommittal about facing off against Trump on stage, Biden finally agreed to debate the former president. However, he rejected the three debates slated to be hosted by the nonpartisan commission and instead proposed two alternate events in June and September. The president’s team reportedly placed strict conditions on the debates, mandating that they be hosted by sympathetic networks like CNN and MSNBC, forgo a live audience, and disable candidates’ microphones when their opponent is speaking.
After Trump agreed to the new debate schedule, CNN announced that the first debate will be held June 27th. The second event will be hosted by ABC News on a yet-to-be-determined date in September.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Add comment