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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been working overtime to manage the fallout from President Biden’s poor performance at the recent debate. According to Bob Hoge’s report, she faced inquiries regarding Biden’s potential Alzheimer’s disease.
A reporter demanded clarity, asking if Biden, at 81, suffers from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or any degenerative illness affecting his cognition. He pressed for a straightforward answer. Jean-Pierre, clearly irritated, replied with a firm “No” and deflected the question towards former President Donald Trump, who does not exhibit such symptoms.
Additionally, on Wednesday, Jean-Pierre tried to justify Biden’s near-drowsiness during the debate, attributing it to international travel. However, Biden had returned from Italy 12 days prior, making this excuse questionable.
She was further questioned about Biden’s napping habits, especially in light of reports of his naps during debate preparation. Notably, she avoided answering this question directly.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Biden prioritizes the American people each day and dismissed concerns from unnamed sources. Instead of addressing these sources, Jean-Pierre could have simply provided the truth, but she chose not to, which indirectly suggests the concerns might be valid.
Biden’s daily schedule already raises questions. His official workday often doesn’t start until 10 a.m., and there are frequently no afternoon engagements listed. This leaves one wondering about his actual working hours.
Kelly O’Donnell, head of the White House Correspondents Association, asked Jean-Pierre if President Biden would appear at a briefing to speak directly with them. Jean-Pierre deflected, but Newsmax reporter James Rosen pointedly added, “If he’s awake,” highlighting doubts about Biden’s availability and alertness.
O’Donnell’s reaction was to admonish Rosen, calling his comment “inappropriate.” Jean-Pierre then expressed gratitude to O’Donnell for standing up for Biden. This exchange highlights a broader issue with media coverage of Biden’s challenges.
James Rosen is among the few journalists who pose tough questions, including those about Biden’s cognitive health. Despite facing a period of being sidelined after previously raising such concerns, Rosen continues his work undeterred.
O’Donnell’s reaction to Rosen’s legitimate query reflects a tendency among some reporters to defend Biden instead of pursuing critical journalism. Labeling the question as “inappropriate” seems misplaced, especially considering the ongoing reports and Jean-Pierre’s evasion. It’s crucial to know if Biden is capable of responding in emergencies, yet there are doubts about his availability even in the late afternoon.
Instead of chastising Rosen, O’Donnell should have supported him and pressed Jean-Pierre further. This incident underscores a significant issue in the media’s approach to covering Biden’s presidency.
