Although there were doubts about President Biden’s mental health and ability to run for a second term, the media, top Democrats, and other leaders fiercely defended him throughout his term.
The Wall Street Journal conducted interviews with nearly 50 people, including current and past White House staffers who worked directly with the president, who said that Biden’s poor stamina became clear in his first few months in office.
One former employee remembered a national security official telling them why a meeting that was supposed to happen in the spring of 2021 was canceled.
“He has good days and bad days, and today was a bad day so we’re going to address this tomorrow,” he recalled the official saying.
In a statement sent to Fox News this week, the White House pushed back against the Journal’s report’s main points. They said Biden’s policy achievements are “indisputable proof” of his skills and leadership.
“President Biden speaks with members of his Cabinet daily, and with most members multiple times a week, staying in close touch with them about implementation of key laws and strengthening our national security. During every presidency, there are inevitably some in Washington who do not receive as much time with whomever the president is as they would prefer; but that never means that the president isn’t engaging thoroughly with others, as this president does,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement.
Many top Democrats and members of the media ardently supported Biden against questions about his abilities during his term.
In March, when many people were wondering if the president could run for a second term, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” star Joe Scarborough spoke out strongly in support of Biden.
During the live show, he addressed those in the U.S. who were doubting the president’s health by saying, “F-you.”
“I’ve said it for years now, he’s cogent. But I undersold it when I said he was cogent, he’s far beyond cogent. In fact, I think he’s better than he’s ever been, intellectually, analytically, because he’s been around for fifty-years,” Scarborough said. “Start your tape right now because I’m about to tell you the truth. And f-you if you can’t handle the truth. This version of Biden, intellectually, analytically, is the best Biden ever.”
“Not a close second, and I’ve known him for years, the Brzezinski’s have known him for fifty years, if it weren’t the truth, I wouldn’t say it,” Scarborough added.
Following the June debate, which ultimately resulted in the president’s withdrawal, Scarborough expressed regret over the president’s repeated missed opportunities against President-elect Donald Trump. Scarborough also dismissed a WSJ report that was published in June about the president’s abilities, which he called a “Trump hit piece.”
WATCH:
Vice President Kamala Harris supported her boss against attacks on his ability to do his job over and over again. There were two weeks before the election when Harris talked to Hallie Jackson of NBC News. Jackson asked her if she could say that she was “honest” with Americans who are worried about Biden’s age.
“Joe Biden is an extremely accomplished, experienced and capable in every way that anyone would want if they’re president,” she said during the interview.
She said the president’s debate performance in June was just a “bad night.”
