Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden became embroiled in a tetchy exchange with a CBS News correspondent when questions were raised about his cognitive abilities.
During the interview clip released on Wednesday morning, Biden snapped at CBS News correspondent Errol Barnett when he was asked if he had taken a cognitive test.
“No, I haven’t taken a test,” Barnett asked, as Biden interjected. “Why the hell would I take a test? Come on, man.”
According to Barnett, Biden has said on multiple occasions that he is “cognitively tested” on the campaign trail. So, he used the interview as an opportunity to gain clarity about the situation. However, Biden remained defensive about the inquiry.
The former vice president fired back arguing that Barnett’s question would be similar to asking a reporter to take a drug test when they are not abusing substances.
“What do you think? Huh? Are you a junkie?” Biden said.
WATCH: @CBSNews Correspondent @ErrolBarnett asked presumed Democratic nominee @JoeBiden if he’s taken a cognitive test.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 5, 2020
“No, I haven't taken a test. Why the hell would I take a test?” — Biden pic.twitter.com/oJs0D0wW30
Barnett mentioned President Donald Trump’s boasting about the cognitive test he previously took. However, Biden dismissed Trump’s remarks and the cognitive test, itself, mentioning some of the questions the president noted from the test.
“Well, if he can’t figure out the difference between an elephant and a lion, I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about,” Biden said laughing.
He added, “Did you watch that — look, come on, man. I know you’re trying to goad me, but I mean … I’m so forward-looking to have an opportunity to sit with the president or stand with the president and the debates.”
A Biden campaign official told Politico in response, “It was a preposterous question deserving of a response that showed the absurdity of it all.”
Biden’s latest remarks follow his previous comments about being tested. At a press conference in June, Biden insisted that he is “constantly tested.”
“I’ve been tested and I’m constantly tested,” Biden said at the time. “Look, all you gotta do is watch me, and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I’m running against.”
