George Stephanopoulos Grills Biden Over Reports of Cognitive ‘Decline’: ‘Are You the Same Man Today That You Were When You Took Office?’

ABC News host George Stephanopoulos grilled President Joe Biden over his physical and mental capabilities on Friday after a New York Times report revealed sources “very close” to the president had been concerned about his “cognitive decline” for more than a year.

After Biden insisted that his disastrous performance during CNN’s presidential debate last week was merely a “bad night,” and not indicative of any cognitive decline, Stephanopoulos said:

Part of the other concern is that this seems to have fit into a pattern of decline that has been reported on recently. New York Times had a headline on July 2nd, “Biden’s Lapses Are Said to Be Increasingly Common and Worrisome.” Here’s what they wrote: “People who have spent time with President Biden over the last few months or so said the lapses appear to have grown more frequent, more pronounced, and after Thursday’s debate, more worrisome. By many accounts, as evidenced by video footage, observation, and interviews, Mr. Biden is not the same today as he was even when he took office three-and-a-half years ago.” Similar reporting in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

The ABC News host then asked, “Are you the same man today that you were when you took office three-and-a-half years ago?”

Biden responded, “In terms of successes, yes. I also was the guy who put together a peace plan for the Middle East that may be coming into fruition. I was also the guy that expanded NATO. I was also the guy that grew the economy. All the individual things that were done were ideas I had or I fulfilled, I moved on.”

“But what has all that work over the last three-and-a-half years cost you physically, mentally, emotionally?” asked Stephanopoulos.

Biden insisted, “Well, I just think it cost me a really bad night. Bad run. But, you know, I– George, I have– I’m optimistic about this country. I don’t think we’re a country of losers, as he [Trump] points out. I don’t think America’s in tough shape. I think America’s on the cusp of breaking through in so many incredible opportunities.”

Biden proceeded to list several campaign promises for a second term, including changes to the tax system and health care, before Stephanopoulos said, “I understand that, and I’m not disputing that. What I’m asking you is about your personal situation. Do you dispute that there have been more lapses, especially in the last several months?”

“Can I run 110 flat? No. But I’m still in good shape,” Biden claimed.

“Are you more frail?” questioned Stephanopoulos, to which Biden replied, “No.”

Watch above via ABC News.