Amidst questions about President Biden's mental acuity, the White House has dismissed circulating videos as "cheap fakes," raising concerns that this strategy may pave the way for increased social media censorship.
President Biden's cognitive capabilities have come under scrutiny following the release of videos on social media that appear to show a decline in his mental sharpness. A recent Wall Street Journal report further fueled these concerns, prompting speculation about his performance in the upcoming presidential debate against former President Donald Trump.
However, the White House has responded by discrediting these videos as "cheap fakes," claiming they are edited out of context, slowed down, or sped up. This response has raised concerns among experts, who believe it could be part of a larger effort to push for increased social media censorship.
Biden's 'Cheap Fakes' Response to Cognitive Decline Concerns: A Push for Social Media Censorship
One expert, presidential historian and author Tevi Troy, believes that the White House's response is part of a strategy to lower expectations for Biden's debate performance. By dismissing concerns about his cognitive decline as "cheap fakes," the administration hopes to create a situation where any performance that exceeds these low expectations will be seen as a success.
However, Troy warns that this strategy could backfire, as underestimating an opponent's capabilities can give them an advantage. He cites Biden's previous performances in debates and speeches, where he has exceeded expectations despite his age and perceived cognitive decline.
Biden's 'Cheap Fakes' Response to Cognitive Decline Concerns: A Push for Social Media Censorship
Another GOP strategist told Fox News Digital that the bar is so low for Biden that simply making it through a sentence without stumbling is considered a success by Democrats. They believe that voters need to focus on Biden's policy positions and question his ability to fulfill his campaign promise of unifying the country.
Meanwhile, the White House has dismissed concerns about Biden's mental acuity as "debunked lies" spread by right-wing critics. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates has accused these critics of being threatened by fact-checkers who have exposed their "cheap fake" smear campaigns.
Biden's 'Cheap Fakes' Response to Cognitive Decline Concerns: A Push for Social Media Censorship
Despite the White House's efforts to discredit concerns about Biden's cognitive decline, the issue remains a focal point of political discourse. A Fox News poll conducted in May found that Biden is now the frontrunner in a hypothetical matchup against Trump for the first time since October 2023, with his support level rising to 50%.
However, the poll also found that positive views of the economy have reached their highest level thus far in the Biden presidency, indicating that economic factors could play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the race.
Biden's 'Cheap Fakes' Response to Cognitive Decline Concerns: A Push for Social Media Censorship
As the presidential election approaches, the issue of Biden's cognitive decline is likely to remain a contentious topic. The White House's response to concerns about his mental acuity will continue to be closely scrutinized, with experts watching for any signs of an attempt to push for increased social media censorship.
