Fact Check: "Dr. O'Connor has never known anyone named 'Joe Biden'."
What We Know
The claim that Dr. Kevin O'Connor has never known anyone named "Joe Biden" is misleading. Dr. O'Connor served as President Joe Biden's physician during his tenure in the White House, which lasted from January 2021 until January 2025. In this capacity, he was responsible for the medical care of President Biden, indicating a professional relationship that certainly implies familiarity with him. Dr. O'Connor has publicly invoked both physician-patient privilege and his Fifth Amendment rights during a recent congressional investigation into President Biden's mental fitness, which further underscores his direct involvement with the president (source-1, source-2).
Analysis
The assertion that Dr. O'Connor does not know Joe Biden contradicts the established facts of his professional role. As the White House physician, Dr. O'Connor was privy to confidential medical information regarding President Biden, which he is legally and ethically bound to protect. His refusal to answer questions during a congressional hearing was based on his invocation of physician-patient privilege and the Fifth Amendment, which suggests a significant level of familiarity with the president (source-3, source-4).
Critically, the context of Dr. O'Connor's refusal to testify is rooted in a politically charged investigation led by Republican members of Congress, who are questioning President Biden's mental acuity. This political backdrop may influence perceptions of Dr. O'Connor's actions, but it does not negate the fact that he has served as President Biden's doctor and thus has a professional relationship with him (source-5, source-6).
Conclusion
The claim that "Dr. O'Connor has never known anyone named 'Joe Biden'" is False. Dr. Kevin O'Connor has served as President Biden's physician, which inherently means he has known him in a professional capacity. His refusal to answer specific questions during a congressional investigation does not imply a lack of familiarity but rather a commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality and legal rights.
Sources
- Biden's Former Doctor, Kevin O'Connor, Refuses ...
- Biden's physician declines to cooperate in GOP probe of ...
- Biden's doctor invokes Fifth Amendment in House probe of ...
- Biden’s physician refuses to answer questions from ... - CNN
- Former White House doctor refuses to answer questions as ...
- Biden's White House doctor declines to answer questions in ...
- Biden's former White House doctor declined to answer ...
- Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in ...