Concerns about Joe Biden’s health and age-related decline have gained renewed attention following revelations from former CNN journalist Chris Cillizza and scathing criticism from CNN contributor Scott Jennings.
Both raised alarms about the administration’s efforts to conceal Biden’s condition, sparking debate over transparency and leadership at the White House.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel on Thursday, Chris Cillizza, a former CNN editor-at-large, admitted he failed to adequately cover signs of Biden’s decline during his tenure. “I should have pushed harder earlier for more information about Joe Biden’s mental and physical well-being and any signs of decline,” Cillizza confessed.
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Cillizza revealed that Republicans frequently urged him to investigate the president’s mental fitness, pointing to numerous verbal gaffes, physical stumbles, and moments where Biden appeared to lose his train of thought.
However, Cillizza said he dismissed these concerns at the time, citing a lack of direct evidence and feeling pressured by accusations of “age-shaming” from the White House.
“The White House and the people around Joe Biden were absolutely adamant that suggesting anything—asking the question about whether he was in some physical, mental or both decline—was offensive,” Cillizza said.
Chris Cillizza apologizes for his coverage of Biden while at CNN: “As a reporter, I have a confession to make: I should have pushed harder earlier for more information about Joe Biden’s mental and physical well-being and any signs of decline.”@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/9GWSmUhgEA
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) December 19, 2024
He acknowledged that, in hindsight, there were clear signs of Biden’s struggles, particularly after the June 27 debate, where the president’s diminished performance drew widespread attention.
The fallout reportedly led Democratic leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to encourage Biden to step aside, resulting in his endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump.
Adding weight to Cillizza’s remarks, a Wall Street Journal report published Thursday outlined how Biden’s staff carefully managed his schedule to account for his fluctuating stamina.
According to the report, meetings with top national security officials were often postponed or canceled, depending on whether the president was having a “good day” or a “bad day.”
The report, based on interviews with nearly 50 individuals, revealed that Biden’s stamina issues were evident as early as the spring of 2021.
Current and former White House staffers described how they insulated the president from lawmakers and the media to avoid exposing his struggles.
CNN contributor Scott Jennings echoed these concerns during a segment on Thursday, calling the concealment of Biden’s condition “the biggest scandal in America.”
Jennings criticized the administration for misleading the public about the president’s ability to perform his duties.
“The level and volume of people who dedicated themselves to lying to everyone at home about this man’s condition for four-straight years up through this summer is breathtaking,” Jennings said.
He argued that Biden’s apparent inability to fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency raises questions about who was actually in charge. “It’s a scandal of epic proportions, and it’s a fair question to ask: Who is running the country? Who has been running the country?”
🇺🇸 SCOTT JENNINGS: THE BIGGEST SCANDAL IN AMERICA IS COVER UP OF BIDEN’S CONDITION
“The biggest scandal in America is the four years of lies about this president’s condition.
If Trump’s advisers worry you, ask this: Who has been running the country while this president was… https://t.co/Sv6y77rtk2 pic.twitter.com/aPIJEtmiPA
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 20, 2024
The New York Times has also reported on Biden’s apparent decline, noting that he looks “a little older and a little slower” as his presidency concludes.
While aides maintain that he remains sharp during critical moments, questions linger about his ability to handle the demands of another term.
Cillizza admitted that he and others in the media may have failed to push hard enough for transparency. “I probably should’ve pushed harder on the Biden age stuff because, in retrospect, it’s clear that the people close to him knew,” he said.
As Biden’s presidency draws to a close, these revelations have reignited debates over transparency, accountability, and the responsibility of the press to scrutinize those in power.
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