During a brief appearance in St. Croix on Sunday night, President Joe Biden delivered a nine-minute speech to honor the late President Jimmy Carter.
However, his speech was marred by noticeable coughing and sluggish delivery, raising concerns about his health.
At 82, Biden’s struggles in front of the press fueled ongoing debates about his cognitive abilities and fitness for office.
Health Concerns Return to the Spotlight
Biden’s health has been under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, especially after The Wall Street Journal published a story on December 19 detailing how aides had to manage the president’s declining cognitive abilities throughout his time in office.
According to the report, Biden often needed repetitive instructions, like reminders on where to exit the stage, indicating signs of mental and physical fatigue.
These revelations added fuel to the fire of public concern about Biden’s capability to continue leading the country.
Criticism of Media Coverage and Biden’s Debate Performance
The conversation about Biden’s health has been brewing for some time, with media outlets offering different perspectives.
Some journalists, like Cal Thomas of Fox News, expressed frustration with the media’s failure to adequately cover Biden’s cognitive decline.
Thomas accused the press of “covering up” for the president, pointing to his struggles during the late June debate against Donald Trump as a key turning point.
Many were shocked by Biden’s performance, which ultimately led him to drop out of the 2024 race, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to take up the Democratic mantle.
Ignoring Red Flags: Journalists’ Responsibility Under Fire
On Sunday’s Face the Nation, CBS’ Chief Legal Correspondent Jan Crawford criticized the media for failing to address Biden’s cognitive decline head-on.
Crawford pointed out that Biden’s limitations had been carefully managed by his advisers for years, with few questioning his fitness for office until it became impossible to ignore.
She lamented that the press didn’t more aggressively investigate whether Biden was truly capable of serving another term, which could have potentially reshaped the entire election process.
Democratic Discontent with Biden’s Leadership
While Biden’s health became an open issue, other Democrats raised concerns about his age and ability to serve another term.
Representative Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson were among those who challenged Biden within the party.
Phillips, in particular, highlighted polling that showed growing reluctance among voters to elect a president of Biden’s age for another four years.
Despite these challenges, Biden faced little opposition from other major Democratic figures, who largely deferred to his candidacy.
The Fallout of Biden’s Decision to Step Down
In the wake of Biden’s exit from the 2024 race, recent reports suggest that some of his advisers regret his decision to drop out.
A Washington Post report cited aides who claimed Biden believed he could have defeated Trump if he had stayed in the race.
Crawford, however, criticized this line of thinking, calling it “either delusional or gaslighting the American people.”
This reflects a growing divide over Biden’s mental fitness and the legacy of his presidency.
White House Defends Biden’s Cognitive Health
Despite the mounting criticism, the White House continues to defend Biden’s cognitive abilities.
Spokesperson Andrew Bates rejected the claims made in the Wall Street Journal and instead highlighted Biden’s achievements, claiming that his “accomplished record” and focus on policy were proof of his mental sharpness.
The White House has also pointed to Biden’s childhood stutter as a reason for his debate difficulties, further dismissing concerns by attributing his performance issues to a cold rather than cognitive decline.
As questions about Biden’s health persist, his ability to lead into 2025 remains a topic of intense debate, with critics urging a more transparent conversation about his fitness for office.