Biden refuses to say whether he'd take independent cognitive test and make results public

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden insisted Friday he doesn’t need a cognitive or neurological test and appeared to dismiss reports that he has suffered mental lapses.

In a 22-minute interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, Biden refused to say whether he would be willing to take an independent cognitive or neurological exam and release the results to the public.

The job of the presidency and running for re-election are their own sort of cognitive test, he said.

“I have a cognitive test every day,” he said.

Biden did not directly address reports that claimed his mental lapses were increasing. “Can I run 110 flat? No," he said. "But I’m still in good shape.”

The interview was Biden's first with a television network since his disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump last week. During that faceoff, Biden spoke in a raspy voice and at times was unable to complete his thoughts or finish sentences. His performance has raised concerns among some Democrats that he will lose to Trump in November and is not mentally fit to serve another four years in office.

Pressed by Stephanopoulos on whether he would take a cognitive test or neurological assessment to reassure the American people of his ability to serve another term if he were reelected to the White House, Biden said Americans should watch him at work and on the campaign trail.

“So, the answer is no,” Stepanopoulos said.

“I’ve already done it,” Biden responded.