President Biden’s decision to step down as the Democratic nominee had nothing to do with his health, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted Wednesday, adamantly denying that officials masked health concerns.

“There’s been no cover-up. I want to be very clear about that,” Ms. Jean-Pierre told reporters. “I know that is the narrative that you all want, it is not.”

However, reporters continued to press Ms. Jean-Pierre about whether Mr. Biden’s health played a factor in his decision to bow out of the presidential race. Mr. Biden’s incoherent, rambling performance during last month’s debate against former President Donald Trump raised concerns about the president’s cognitive abilities. 

The president said at the time that he had a bad cold and a “bad night.”

But concerns were amplified after the White House revealed that Mr. Biden was checked out by a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease, though officials said it was just part of a routine check-up.

“It has nothing to do with his health. The president is going to speak to this directly to the American people in prime time,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said.

Mr. Biden is scheduled to address the nation from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. Wednesday and explain his decision to walk away. It will be his first comments on camera since announcing Sunday on X that he would not seek a second term.

Ms. Jean-Pierre did say the decision to step aside came after Mr. Biden met with advisers and his family last weekend. 

“He met with a small group of advisers on Saturday evening. And with this family. And he was thinking through how to move forward. Sunday afternoon he made that decision,” she said. 

Mr. Biden immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee, and she quickly amassed enough delegates to be the party’s presumptive nominee ahead of next month’s Democratic National Convention. 

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.