Amid growing concerns about President Biden's mental sharpness, the White House has reportedly intervened, urging Democratic lawmakers to call back The Wall Street Journal and emphasize the president's strength. This move raises questions about the extent to which the White House is actively managing perceptions of Biden's cognitive abilities.
The Wall Street Journal's report, "Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping," has sparked a fresh wave of scrutiny surrounding President Biden's mental acuity. In response, the White House has reportedly taken steps to influence the narrative, urging Democratic lawmakers interviewed by the Journal to push back on "false" allegations.
According to the report, the White House closely monitored the Journal's interviews with Democratic lawmakers and encouraged them to highlight Biden's sharpness. One congressman, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., revealed that the White House had instructed him to call the reporter back and emphasize the president's strength.
In an exchange with the Journal, Meeks stated, "They just, you know, said that I should give you a call back." White House spokesman Andrew Bates justified this intervention, claiming that they wanted "all perspectives to be represented" and to counter "false and politically motivated claims."
The Journal's report details several instances where Biden displayed cognitive decline and low energy in meetings with lawmakers and officials. Attendees noted that he moved slowly, relied heavily on notes, and often deferred to staffers.
Democratic lawmakers who attended the meetings provided mixed assessments of Biden's performance. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., asserted that Biden was "incredibly strong, forceful, and decisive." However, others expressed concerns, noting that the president appeared disengaged and uncomfortable.
Former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy corroborated these concerns, stating that Biden "was not the same person" as he was when he served as vice president. Several Democrats who knew Biden during his vice presidency also commented on his apparent cognitive decline.
Meeks defended Biden's mental sharpness, claiming that he found him to be "the same Joe Biden that I’ve known since I came to Congress." However, doubts persist as Biden seeks reelection amid questions about his cognitive abilities.
The White House has vigorously defended Biden's mental acuity, citing his accomplishments and statements from congressional Republicans, foreign leaders, and national-security experts. Additionally, they have accused House Republicans of making "false claims" and pointed out inconsistencies in McCarthy's statements.
The Wall Street Journal has reaffirmed its confidence in the accuracy of its reporting, despite the White House's attempts to influence the narrative. The issue of Biden's mental fitness continues to be a topic of intense scrutiny and debate as he embarks on his bid for reelection.
