Fauci defends Biden debate disaster, suggests he had reaction to cold medication—WH confirmed he wasn’t on cold medication

The former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' comments were at odds with those made by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who said Biden was not under the influence of any cold medications at the time.

"Did you see the debate?" CBS' The Takeout host Major Garrett asked on Tuesday. "Did anything about what you saw medically alarm you?"

Fauci refused to say, suggesting that offering a medical analysis would be "inappropriate." He went on to say, "when you're just looking at someone on a one-shot basis, you just don't know what could happen."

"Did he have a bad cold? Did he take an antihistamine to make him groggy or what have you? We don't know what went on, and I think it would be unfair and inappropriate to try and diagnose something from just a 90-minute clip."

Fauci said Biden's performance "just looked like a bad night," explaining that his interactions with the president had been far more impressive. "He's very probing with his questions, very analytical, very calm about things," the doctor said. "When you go into brief him, you better know your topic because he's gonna ask you very relevant questions."

During the White House press briefing on Tuesday, a reporter asked Jean-Pierre whether Biden had been on any cold medications at the time, citing previous comments that he had been under the weather.

"He was not taking any cold medication," Jean-Pierre replied. "I've asked his doctor and that's what he stated to us."

Biden's performance at the debate fuelled a wave of criticism from across the political spectrum and led many to speculate that he may drop out. The White House on Wednesday denied reports that Biden was considering dropping out of the race after reports that he had spoken to a key ally about the topic.