South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has joined the growing call for cognitive and physical evaluations for President Joe Biden, while also advocating for similar tests for former President Donald Trump and other potential presidential candidates. Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Graham emphasized the need for such evaluations for all future presidential nominees and those in the line of succession.
“All nominees for president going into the future should have neurological exams as part of an overall physical exam,” said the 68-year-old senator. “Let’s test Trump. Let’s test Biden. Let’s test the line of succession.” Graham stressed that this is a crucial step to ensure that individuals who may become commander-in-chief are capable of handling the responsibilities under dire circumstances.
Graham’s comments come in the wake of California Democrat Adam Schiff’s suggestion that both Biden and Trump should undergo cognitive tests. Schiff predicted that such a test would reveal serious issues with Trump and suggested that Biden should consider stepping aside if he cannot win overwhelmingly.
The issue of presidential cognitive testing has gained traction as Biden, 81, the oldest president in U.S. history, faces scrutiny over his mental fitness. His recent debate performance against Trump has fueled claims of a broader mental decline, raising questions about his ability to remain the presumptive Democratic nominee for reelection.
Graham expressed his concern, stating, “I’m offended by the idea that he [Biden] shouldn’t take a competency test, given all the evidence in front of us.” He added that he believes Biden is in denial, which he considers dangerous. When asked if Trump, 78, should also take the test, Graham responded affirmatively, “Yes, yes, I think both.”
The senator highlighted the national security implications of the debate surrounding Biden’s health, saying, “Most of us are concerned with the national security implications of this debate about President Biden’s health.” He added, “I’m worried about Biden … Biden being the commander in chief for the next four months.”
Graham also speculated that Biden might be replaced as the Democratic nominee, with Vice President Kamala Harris being the most likely candidate. “If she does become the nominee, this is a dramatically different race than it is right now, today. I hope people are thinking about that on our side,” he said.
The call for cognitive tests is not limited to Graham. Trump himself has challenged Biden to take a cognitive test, particularly before their CNN presidential debate. Speaking at a Turning Point Action convention in Detroit on June 15, Trump said, “He doesn’t even know what the word ‘inflation’ means. I think he should take a cognitive test like I did.”
Trump claims to have taken a cognitive test in 2018 and has often boasted about acing it. However, the test’s creator clarified that the assessment Trump likely took was not designed to measure IQ or intellectual skill but to detect possible cognitive problems like memory issues. According to the test creators, any adult without cognitive issues should score well. Notably, Trump has not taken the test again since 2018.
Graham’s remarks come as Biden faces intense backlash following his poor debate performance on June 27. Several of Biden’s supporters have urged him to step aside from the race, with five House Democrats predicting that he would lose to Trump in the upcoming November elections.
Despite the mounting pressure, Biden has remained resolute. In an interview with ABC News, he described his debate performance as a “bad episode” and insisted it was “no indication of any serious condition.” His campaign has attributed his less-than-stellar performance to factors such as a cold, jet lag, and inadequate preparation.
Representatives for Biden, Trump, and Graham did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.
The debate over the mental and physical fitness of presidential candidates is likely to continue as the 2024 election approaches. Graham’s call for cognitive and physical tests for all future presidential nominees underscores the growing concern about the capabilities of those who seek the highest office in the land.
Source: CBS, Business Insider
