Kevin McCarthy, a former Speaker of the House who resigned from Congress in January, gave a sobering analysis of President Joe Biden‘s mental state, relaying that he would have to stick to notes in meetings they had together.
In an appearance on Fox News, McCarthy said that Biden is a much different man than the one he dealt with a decade ago when Biden was vice president. The California Republican related how, during his brief tenure as House Speaker, Biden would have to stick to a script during meetings.
“I’ve had a lot of interactions with him,” McCarthy said. “And I’ve known him for quite some time, I’ve met with him a lot when he’s vice president. He’s not the same man. There’s times when I met with the President — much different than the times I’ve met with him before.”
“I found when I met with him, it would just be a couple — he would read from the cards,” he added. “And if you deviate, like I didn’t sit and negotiate him with him, the debt ceiling … he just sticks to the cards. And if you go, if you deviate from the cards, he can’t continue onward.”
He also questioned Biden’s physical state, saying that going by the way he walks, his physical is probably different than the one the former House speaker takes.
The White House was quick to point out that Biden, who has been criticized for using notecards in the past, isn’t the only public figure relying on a cheat sheet when he speaks.
Referencing an article from last year that pointed out McCarthy has his own habit of using notecards, White House spokesman Andrew Bates told the Washington Examiner the former speaker should be careful not to throw stones.
“Perhaps Speaker McCarthy should make a note of the [report] on his own cards — so he doesn’t forget it again,” Bates said.
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Despite his criticisms, McCarthy maintained that he was thankful for Biden’s service over the years.
McCarthy’s statement appears to make him the first former or current Congressional leader to give insight into Biden’s performance behind closed doors. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson, though critical of the president, have refrained from giving any insider scoop into perceptions of his mental acuity based on personal interactions.
