Biden’s cough sparks concern as Psaki says it’s just allergies

Give this man a Zyrtec.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki assured reporters on Friday that President Biden’s persistent cough was the result of allergies and not a more serious health problem.

Biden, who will turn 79 next month, coughed and cleared his throat several times Friday during public remarks, including at an event on the White House lawn with Home Secretary Deb Haaland .

Biden and his doctor have in the past attributed his frequent hacks when speaking in public to a cold or the effects of gastric reflux.

” He is doing very well. He has allergies, ”Psaki said as she walked away from the podium during her daily briefing, responding to a shouted question from reporter Brian Karem.

Biden has yet to honor the tradition of releasing the results of an annual presidential physique.

The commander-in-chief’s cough repeatedly raised health concerns. NBC News reporter Kelly O’Donnell asked Psaki about it last month.

“A lot of us were in the East Room watching the President. We have seen him on several occasions where he has a repeated cough. What is the situation with this cough? And is this a problem? The veteran reporter asked Psaki.

“It’s not a problem,” Psaki said. “We have a doctor traveling with him, obviously, who checks to see if there is any – it’s always justified. And certainly, this continues to be the case, as it has been since the start of his presidency. “

O’Donnell, who this year was elected president of the White House Correspondents Association, with a term starting in 2023, lobbied Psaki.

“Is there any explanation why he coughed so frequently in situations like this?” I’m sure you’ve seen it, ”the reporter asked.

“I did it,” Psaki said. “I don’t think that’s a problem. “

Psaki added, “I think there are a whole host of reasons why we may need to clear our throats or we may have a little cold. And it’s certainly something that presidents, elected officials, journalists, spokespersons can face, but it’s not an area where we have a medical problem.

The explanation for Biden’s frequent cough has changed over time.

In December 2020, the then president-elect said: “I have a little cold, I’m sorry.”

A 2019 report from his doctor, Dr. Kevin C. O’Connor, blamed gastroesophageal reflux.

“Biden is a healthy and vigorous 77-year-old man who is fit to successfully perform the duties of the presidency,” O’Connor wrote.

The doctor wrote that gastric reflux can “contribute to an occasional cough and sinus congestion” and that “[Biden] underwent an endoscopy to rule out any more significant disease.