WASHINGTON — After his return to the White House on Thursday night following a debate performance many pundits are calling one of the worst of all time, President Joe Biden coughed up a deceased cat onto the floor of the Oval Office.
The cat, described as a medium-sized, grey house cat, emerged intact following a series of vigorous coughs. White House veterinarians quickly arrived on the scene to examine the animal and pronounced it dead.
"The President is in good health and spirits," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated in a brief press conference. "This incident is not unusual for someone of his age and experience."
Mr. Biden refused to acknowledge that the feline blockage of his airway had any impact on his debate performance. However, sources close to the President revealed that he had been complaining of a "scratchy feeling" in his throat for several days prior to the event.
This marks the first reported instance of a sitting U.S. President coughing up a full-sized house pet during their term in office since Ronald Reagan released a 17-year-old parrot while clearing his throat at a press conference in 1982.