In a candid discussion on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” National and Legal Correspondent Jan Crawford highlighted President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline as 2024’s most under-reported story. The conversation unfolded during a roundtable led by guest host Major Garrett, who prompted the panel to reflect on stories that lacked adequate media coverage throughout the year. Crawford’s immediate response reignited debate over the role of the press in holding leaders accountable.
“Under-covered and under-reported, that would be, to me, Joe Biden’s obvious cognitive decline that became undeniable in the televised debate,” Crawford remarked, referencing a moment she believes should have drawn greater scrutiny. When pressed by Garrett for details, she pointed to reports that Biden’s advisors had been managing his limitations for years, a claim substantiated by previous reporting in The Wall Street Journal.
CBS News journalist roundtable says Joe Biden’s clear mental and physical decline was the most underreported story of 2024. But true self reflection would demands question — why was that? The answer is because most legacy media are Democrat propagandists. pic.twitter.com/mVQzfpUxUv
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 30, 2024
Crawford argued that the lack of critical examination into Biden’s fitness for office prevented a more competitive Democratic primary, potentially altering the outcome of the election. “We should have much more forcefully questioned whether he was fit for office for another four years,” she stated, adding that this oversight may have contributed to the Democrats’ loss in 2024.
The discussion turned to Biden’s insistence on running despite growing concerns. Crawford cited The Washington Post, which reported that some of Biden’s advisors claimed he regretted dropping out of the race after his primary loss. Crawford dismissed these claims as either delusional or a deliberate effort to mislead voters, saying, “They’re gaslighting the American people.”
Other panelists, including Robert Costa, offered a counterpoint, emphasizing that Biden and his aides consistently maintained that his health and cognitive abilities were intact. Costa referenced Biden’s explanation for his performance during a June 2024 debate, where he claimed illness had affected him, though his team insisted he left office in good health.
The panel’s conversation underscored a broader critique of legacy media’s approach to Biden’s presidency. Crawford’s comments reflected frustration over what she saw as a pattern of minimizing issues that could have significant political and electoral consequences. For voters, the lack of transparency raised concerns about trust and the ability of media institutions to report objectively on powerful figures.
