Hunter Biden’s recent comments about his father’s use of Ambien have ignited a firestorm of questions about whether a sleep aid could have played a role in Joe Biden’s faltering debate performance. The claim, made during an interview, has thrust a common prescription drug into an uncommon political spotlight.
According to Fox News, Hunter Biden suggested that his father’s struggles during the June 27, 2024, presidential debate stemmed from exhaustion and the use of Ambien to sleep after extensive travel. He painted a picture of an 81-year-old man, worn down and medicated, stumbling on stage like “a deer in the headlights.”
Let’s unpack that image. If travel and age are the culprits, why lean on a drug like Ambien, known for side effects that could worsen confusion in someone of Biden’s years, as a crutch for such a critical moment?
Ambien, or zolpidem, is a prescription medication for insomnia, meant for short-term use. Medical sources note it carries risks like dizziness, drowsiness, and even memory issues or grogginess the next day.
For those over 65, the warnings are starker, with increased chances of falls and confusion. Studies also hint at rare but severe effects, including hallucinations and a potential link to dementia risk in older adults with prolonged use.
Hunter’s defense might aim to humanize his father’s stumble, but it raises a bigger concern. Should someone in Biden’s position, under intense public scrutiny, be using a medication that experts flag as problematic for his age group?
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, didn’t mince words about Ambien’s dangers for the elderly, citing confusion and hallucinations as known effects. “Ambien is not a great drug for the elderly for these reasons,” he told Fox News Digital, though he hasn’t treated Biden himself.
Yet Siegel also cast doubt on the timeline, noting that Ambien isn’t a sedative and should wear off by morning if taken the night before. He added, “Taking it right before the debate makes no sense whatsoever – no doctor would recommend that.”
That skepticism cuts to the heart of this story. If the drug’s effects don’t align with the debate timing, is this explanation a convenient shield for deeper issues with Biden’s readiness?
Dr. Michaela Robbins, a board-certified nurse practitioner, echoed Siegel’s concerns, stating to Fox News Digital, “Ambien use can absolutely cause the type of confusion that Biden appeared to experience.” She highlighted how medication-induced confusion is far more common in older adults, especially with sedatives.
Robbins also pointed to research linking even short-term Ambien use to delirium, with long-term use potentially tied to cognitive decline. She labeled it a “problematic and inappropriate medication” for older individuals, particularly if mixed with other drugs.
This isn’t just about one debate or one man. It’s a glaring reminder of how quick fixes like sleep aids can backfire when prescribed without rigorous assessment, especially for someone in a role demanding sharp mental clarity.
Every Ambien prescription should come with a thorough medical evaluation, as Robbins advised, alongside a discussion of safer alternatives for managing insomnia. She emphasized interventions with fewer risks to mental sharpness, especially from a longevity standpoint.
The lack of comment from Biden’s representatives or Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Ambien’s manufacturer, leaves the public guessing about the specifics of his care. Was there oversight, or did haste and pressure override caution in preparing for such a high-stakes event?
In the end, this saga isn’t just about a debate flop or a pill bottle. It’s a sobering look at how health decisions intersect with public duty, and whether our leaders are being set up to succeed or stumble under the weight of age, travel, and questionable medical choices.
