"Jackie, where are you?"... Health Concerns Resurface as Biden Calls Deceased Lawmaker's Name Again

(Photo by NYT)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] U.S. President Joe Biden's recent mention of a deceased federal House representative during a White House meeting has reignited speculation about his health.

According to the New York Times (NYT) and others on the 28th (local time), President Biden named Representative Jackie Walorski, who died in a car accident earlier last month, while discussing bipartisan support for related legislation at a White House meeting on ending hunger that morning.

He said, "I want to thank everyone here, including Senator Mike Braun, Senator Cory Booker, and Representative Jackie Walorski," then repeatedly called Walorski's name and asked the audience, "Jackie, are you here? Where are you?"

President Biden had previously issued a statement of condolence and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff upon Walorski's death.

The remarks quickly spread on social media such as Twitter, reigniting health concerns about the 79-year-old president.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, is holding a daily briefing at the White House. (Photo by AP)

Fox News reported that during the White House briefing held that afternoon, the press corps bombarded questions about President Biden's remarks.

A reporter asked, "The president seemed to look for a congresswoman who died last month during today's hunger-related event, as if she might be there. Why was that?"

In response, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reminded that the president was mentioning lawmakers involved in the issue and explained, "There is a bill-signing event to honor her scheduled for this Friday, and the president plans to meet her family, so she was at the forefront of his mind (during the remarks)."

When another reporter asked, "Then why did the president look for her at the event?" Jean-Pierre replied, "The American public watching the briefing would understand that when someone is on your mind, you might do that."

When pressed again, "The confusing part is if Walorski was at the forefront of the president's mind, why did he think she was alive and at the event?" Jean-Pierre sharply responded, "I don't think that's a confusing part."

Another reporter countered, "John Lennon is at the top of my mind, but I don't look for John Lennon around me," to which she evaded the answer by saying, "Let's talk again when you sign a bill electing John Lennon as president."

The NYT reported that this gaffe has reignited health concerns, especially among conservatives. Earlier in April, right after a speech, a scene was caught on camera where President Biden appeared to reach out alone into the air as if shaking hands, sparking dementia rumors.