Biden campaign says president 'has a cold' amid gravelly performance

President Joe Biden speaks as he participates in the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections with former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at CNN's studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden has a cold, the president's team told reporters, after sounding gravelly and congested during the CNN Presidential Debate.

NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell reported that President Biden’s team is telling journalists that Biden “has a cold."

The president was examined by his doctor, Kevin O'Connor, at Camp David prior to the debate.

O'Connor determined it was a cold and the president tested negative for COVID-19.

Biden's age and mental acuity has been in the forefront of the presidential election.

At 81, Biden is three years older than Trump, who turned 78 this month.