President Joe Biden’s past comments about Sen. Claiborne Pell’s health have resurfaced amid growing concerns about his own fitness for office. In the mid-1990s, Biden, then a U.S. Senator from Delaware, reportedly expressed sympathy for Pell, who was showing early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Biden described Pell, then in his late 70s, as “a poor son of a bitch” no longer up to the job, suggesting that Pell’s diminished capacity made him unfit for his role.
The remarks were recounted by former White House reporter Tom Galvin in an op-ed for Politico. Galvin was reportedly taken aback by Biden’s comment, which was made after a 1994 State of the Union address. Pell eventually lost his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when Republicans took control in 1994 and retired in 1997 due to his health issues. Pell passed away in January 2009, shortly after turning 90.
Biden’s empathy for Pell’s situation has drawn attention as he faces mounting scrutiny over his own health and suitability for a second term. Recent concerns about Biden’s cognitive fitness have been fueled by his June debate performance and a recent diagnosis of COVID-19. There have been calls for Biden to reconsider his 2024 re-election bid, with some experts noting signs of neurodegeneration.
Despite these concerns, Biden has so far resisted calls to withdraw from the race, and the White House maintains that he does not need a new medical examination.
