OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
President Joe Biden caused a stir on Wednesday when he was seen talking to reporters with impressions on his cheeks and the back of his neck as though he’d been wearing a mask.
Turns out, he was. According to Bloomberg News, two White House sources confirmed that Biden has been using a CPAP machine at night while sleeping. CPAP — which stands for continuous positive airway pressure — are devices that assist with sleep apnea, or periods of not breathing while sleeping.
“Since 2008, the president has disclosed his history with sleep apnea in thorough medical reports. He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said, according to CNN.
The outlet went on to say that Biden began using the device in “recent weeks.”
Bloomberg added: “As Biden departed the White House on Wednesday to give an economic address in Chicago, marks from the CPAP apparatus were apparent on his face. Similar marks could be seen on Biden’s face Monday during an event at the White House detailing plans to divvy up nearly $42.5 billion to build out high-speed internet networks.”
“Biden disclosed sleep apnea ahead of the 2008 presidential campaign, and the use of the machine is not related to a new condition or environmental conditions, according to one of the people, who requested anonymity to discuss the president’s health,” the outlet added.
President Biden needed to improve his sleep “quality” so he began using a CPAP machine. WH only confirms this after face marks raise questions. https://t.co/gbmmYwVqWr
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) June 29, 2023
According to a new national survey conducted for NBC News, more than two-thirds of registered voters, or 68 percent, said they have moderate to major concerns about Biden “not having the necessary mental and physical health” to be president, a staggering 17-point increase from when voters were asked the same question in October 2020.
“The new poll shows 32% of voters said they have little to no real concerns, which is a drop from the 48% of voters who responded similarly in October 2020, roughly a month before the November presidential election that year,” the Daily Wire reported, citing the survey.
The same survey found a lower percentage of voters — but still a majority at 55 percent — felt the same about Trump, who just turned 77.
A survey published last month revealed similar findings and sentiments about Biden.
According to an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, a majority of Americans, by a 62 percent-to-36 percent margin, think Biden does not have the mental capacity to continue serving as president beyond his first term.
“Biden did, however, actually see a slight increase in his approval rating to 45%, up 4 points from last month. That indicates there will likely be a significant number of people who believe there are serious concerns about Biden’s mental fitness but will vote for him anyway,” NPR reported.
Trump, who is the current 2024 GOP frontrunner, did better, with 52 percent saying it was a concern compared to 43 percent who said it isn’t.
Earlier this month, Biden appeared to require assistance leaving a stage after delivering a speech and ending hit with a strange statement.
Biden’s speech at the National Safety Communities Summit in Connecticut was on gun control, a favored policy among Democrats and certainly his administration. Before he left the stage, the president thanked the attendees for coming and said, “God save the queen, man.”
Presumably, he was referring to the late Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, who passed away on Sept. 8 at Balmoral Castle in Ballater, Scotland. Interestingly, Biden attended her funeral in London, while first lady Jill Biden attended the coronation of King Charles III — which means the new saying should be “God save the king.”
“But the scene became even more bizarre immediately following the gaffe. Biden seemed unaware of where he should exit, pointing at the people off-stage and asking them where he should go,” the Western Journal reported.
“Eventually, an aide came up and helped him off, and Biden awkwardly jogged across the stage to make an exit.”
