White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday defended the Biden administration's handling of concerns about the president's age and cognitive health, stating that Biden is "fighting" for the American people.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday held a briefing for the press corps, her first since President Joe Biden's rocky CNN Presidential Debate performance last week. The majority of questions posed to Jean-Pierre centered around Biden's mental and physical health, with the press secretary reiterating that Biden and his allies acknowledge the debate's shortcomings but emphasize his commitment to serving the country.
"President Biden had a cold, he was not at his best, but he fought hard for the American people," Jean-Pierre said. "He was fighting to protect our democracy, to protect our economy, and to protect our families."
Karine Jean-Pierre Addresses Press After Biden's Debate Performance, Defends White House Reporting on Age Concerns
Jean-Pierre addressed the concerns raised by some White House reporters about the administration's handling of Biden's age, emphasizing that the president's health is closely monitored by his physician and that he remains fit for duty. She also dismissed claims that the White House has been attempting to suppress or limit reporting on Biden's age, stating that the press has a responsibility to report accurately and fairly.
"We have never once, not one time, told any reporter, ever, not to write a story about the president's age," Jean-Pierre said. "That is just not true. We do not do that."
Karine Jean-Pierre Addresses Press After Biden's Debate Performance, Defends White House Reporting on Age Concerns
However, White House reporters present at the briefing expressed frustration with the administration's perceived lack of transparency and willingness to engage with questions about Biden's age and cognitive fitness.
"The White House can't blacklist all of us, and everyone has to ask about his age now," one reporter told Fox News Digital. "It's inescapable."
Karine Jean-Pierre Addresses Press After Biden's Debate Performance, Defends White House Reporting on Age Concerns
The press corps' handling of concerns over Biden's age has been the subject of much debate and criticism in recent weeks. Some reporters have argued that the press has not been sufficiently diligent in reporting on the issue, while others have defended their coverage, citing the complexities of the situation and the need to balance the importance of raising legitimate concerns with the potential risks of speculating on a president's health.
"It makes sense to reflect on this now and ask whether we missed or, really, under-reported the story of Biden's age and decline," one reporter told CNN. "But it's complicated. The fact that the political alternative to Biden is an authoritarian who sparked an insurrection and is a convicted felon does not mean that the press is failing American democracy to focus on Biden's obvious frailty."
Ultimately, the issue of how to cover the president's age and health remains a complex and challenging one, with no easy answers. The press has a responsibility to inform the public about matters of public interest, including the health and fitness of the president. However, it is equally important to ensure that reporting on these issues is accurate, fair, and respectful of the individual's privacy and dignity.
