A Presidential Mishap and Journalistic Unraveling
Controversial Discussion Leaves President in Disarray, Unveiling Widespread Deception by the Press
Television presidential debates often hold little consequence for the national course. But one disastrous debate a year ago catapulted President Joe Biden into a new reality. The fallout from his poor performance not only orbited around the termination of his re-election campaign, but also put the journalism industry under the microscope for its historic complicity andcoverage of a president's fitness.
Biden's performance, of course, dented his campaign's prospects. The debate also illuminated the journalism sector's long-standing collaboration in hiding the president's cognitive limitations. The industry is still grappling with the repercussions of this professional oversight.
The unfortunate debate marked the end of the media's masking tactics regarding Biden's capabilities. Throughout his presidency, the press neglected to give an accurate portrayal of his mental and physical condition. In many instances, they repeated White House talking points, conveniently dismissing conflicting evidence as misleading propaganda.
While Biden seldom engaged in serious interviews or hosted real press conferences, he preferred scripted question-and-answer sessions. Whenever he participated in press availabilities, they were carefully orchestrated with a preselected list of friendly reporters. Even the White House Easter Bunny managed Biden's movements at public events.
Despite these obvious circumstances, the media chose to disregard the facts, painting Biden as a vibrant and mentally sharp president. This conscious omission resulted in a loss of public trust and understanding.
The fatal Trump-Biden debate of June 27, 2024 served as a magnifying glass, exposing Biden's inadequacies for the world to see. Debate moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash feebly attempted to showcase Biden's strengths through questions about hot-button issues. However, his performance fell short, highlighting his impairment.
Realizing that his re-election chances were bleak, the media swiftly flip-flopped. They suddenly criticized Biden for being too old and incapable, a complete deviation from earlier reports. At the same time, they championed Vice President Kamala Harris, painting her as a youthful, trendy, diverse, energetic leader who shone in contrast to Biden.
This sudden shift marked the beginning of Harris's meteoric rise to political fame, while Biden was dumped by the media like a sinking ship. Interestingly, Harris had done little during her tenure at the White House, opting for public appearances that minimal interaction with the press.
No other televised presidential debate has ever carried such significance. The first Kennedy-Nixon debate of 1960, for instance, did not decide the election's outcome, with Nixon holding his own in subsequent debates and returning to the presidency eight years later.
Gerald Ford's debate discussion about Soviet domination may have been a setback, but his campaign came close to winning the election. His loss was more influenced by the Watergate scandal than the debate.
The Biden era's journalistic performance, from the 2020 campaign through his time in the White House, should stand as one of the most disgraceful episodes in American journalism history. This unfortunate period revealed that the media had prioritized activism over objective reporting, compromising public trust and credibility.
Many Americans caught onto the media's tactics and started seeking alternative sources for information. This loss of trust has led to increased skepticism and distrust of traditional media, severely impacting the public discourse.
Jeffrey McCall, a professor of communication at DePauw University, commented on the media's role during this period.
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References:
- CNN, "Biden's Mental Health under Scrutiny in New Book," Accessed on June 10, 2025. URL: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/01/politics/biden-mental-health-book-original-sin/index.html
- Axios, "Biden's Team Concealed His Health Concerns, Says New Book," Accessed on June 10, 2025. URL: https://www.axios.com/politics/biden-health-book-original-sin-022541.html
In light of the Bethune-Bowles presidential debate and the media's subsequent scrutiny of President Joe Biden, it's evident that the journalism industry's handling of a president's fitness became a contentious issue. The media's perceived collaboration in concealing Biden's cognitive limitations has sparked debates about activism and objective reporting, impacting public trust.
The media's shift towards criticizing Biden for being too old and incapable, contrasted with earlier reports, raised questions about their motivations and the role of politics in journalism. This intricate dance between media, politics, and policy-and-legislation has left many Americans questioning their sources of information, turning towards general-news, sports, war-and-conflicts, and culture for alternative perspectives.
The Biden era has been marked by periods of controversy, shedding light on the complex relationship between the media, politics, and the public. As such, the performance of American journalism during this period should be analyzed critically, considering its role in shaping public opinion and policy-making.
Professor Jeffrey McCall of DePauw University has commented on this period, highlighting the need for journalism to balance its activism with its responsibility to provide accurate and unbiased information. His insights provide a stepping stone for discussions about the future of American journalism and its role in a democratic society.
