Overview
Recent scrutiny on the legacy media highlights allegations of covering up President Biden’s mental decline, especially noticeable during the last presidential debate. Interviewers who have interacted with Biden offer varying insights into his cognitive state.
Why It Matters
The health and cognitive abilities of the President are crucial for ensuring effective leadership and maintaining public trust in the government.
Who It Impacts
This issue impacts American voters, political analysts, and anyone concerned about the nation’s leadership and governance.
In recent weeks, the legacy media has come under intense scrutiny for its coverage of President Joe Biden, with critics accusing journalists of concealing his mental decline. These concerns were amplified following Biden’s performance at last month’s presidential debate, which many found troubling.
Aside from the White House press corps, very few journalists have had the opportunity to interact with the generally media-reclusive president. Biden has conducted fewer interviews than any other modern American president, creating a rare chance for those few reporters to assess his mental health firsthand. Fox News Digital reached out to 20 interviewers who have spoken with Biden during his presidency. Only two agreed to speak, on the condition of anonymity.
One interviewer, who has interacted with Biden several times over the years, observed that the president appeared “stiffer physically” in a recent interview. “His eyes were watery, once seemed maybe irritated, a bit glassy,” the interviewer told Fox News Digital. Despite noting that Biden was “fine with small talk” and did not exhibit any overt mental lapses, the interviewer concluded, “He is old, and it’s impossible not to notice this and be focused on it. His voice is so soft.”
The second interviewer noted similar physical signs, such as Biden walking stiffly across the room. However, they described Biden as “engaged, responsive and able to address my questions.” They also mentioned that Biden was careful not to give lengthy answers, suggesting he might have been coached to keep responses brief. Both interviewers expressed frustration over the difficulty in securing interviews with Biden, and noted how his team strictly managed the time and content of their conversations.
Former ESPN host Sage Steele shared her experience interviewing Biden in March 2021. She described how Biden “trailed off” during their satellite interview, asking basic questions like “What is this for?” and “Who am I talking to?” Steele revealed that her questions had been scripted by ESPN, leaving her no room for follow-ups or deviations.
Scott Pelley of CBS News, one of the few journalists to conduct multiple interviews with Biden, warned viewers of “60 Minutes” to expect signs of Biden’s lifelong stutter when he is tired. This disclosure came before an interview conducted shortly after the October 7 terrorist attack against Israel. Similarly, Time magazine’s Massimo Calabresi noted that Biden “appears very much as he appears on TV” and has visibly aged since taking office.
ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, who interviewed Biden last week, expressed doubt about Biden’s ability to serve another term, stating bluntly, “I don’t think he can serve four more years.” The Associated Press, one of the few outlets to secure a print interview with Biden, described numerous instances of “inaudible” and “garbled” speech in their published transcript, underscoring concerns about the president’s communication abilities.
These accounts from various interviewers paint a complex picture of President Biden’s cognitive state. While some defend his performance, others highlight noticeable declines. The debate over Biden’s mental fitness continues, raising questions about his ability to lead effectively.
