Members of the media, top Democrats and other leaders ran an enthusiastic defense of President Biden throughout his term, with questions swirling around the president's ability to serve a second term and his mental fitness before he ultimately dropped out of the race.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Biden's stamina problems were evident during his first few months in office, citing… Interviews with approximately 50 peopleincluding current and former White House staff who interacted directly with the president.
One former aide noted that a national security official explained why a meeting in the spring of 2021 was canceled altogether.
He noted the official saying: “He's had good days and bad days, and today was a bad day, so we'll address that tomorrow.”
The white house It was pressed again The newspaper's report content in a statement provided to Fox News Digital this week, saying Biden's policy accomplishments provide “indisputable evidence” of his credentials and leadership.
“President Biden speaks with members of his Cabinet daily, and with most members several times a week, and stays in close contact with them on implementing key laws and strengthening our national security. During every presidency, there are inevitably some in Washington who don't.” “They enjoy as much time with anyone from the president as they prefer, but that never means the president doesn't engage fully with others, as this president does,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement.
Members of the media, top Democrats and other leaders have run an enthusiastic defense of President Biden throughout his term, as questions swirl around the president's ability to serve a second term. (AP Photo/Manuel Bals Sinita) (AP)
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The senior leadership and some in the media have proudly defended the president against concerns about his abilities throughout his term.
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough tells viewers who can't handle 'the truth' that president is 'best Biden ever'
Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's “Morning Joe,” offered an impassioned defense of Biden in March amid many concerns about whether the president has the ability to serve a second term.
He had words for Americans who questioned the president's decency, saying during the live broadcast: “Fuck you.”
“I've said it for years now, it's compelling. But I didn't emphasize it when I said it's compelling, it's far from convincing. In fact, I think it's better than ever, intellectually and analytically, because it's been around for years,” Scarborough said. FIFTY YEARS “Start your tape now because I'm about to tell you the truth. And fuck you if you can't handle the truth. This version of Biden, intellectually and analytically, is the best Biden ever.”
“Not very soon,” Scarborough added. “I've known him for years, and the Brzezinski family has known him for fifty years. If it wasn't the truth, I wouldn't say it.”
After the June debate that ultimately led to the president's withdrawal, Scarborough lamented that the president missed layup after layup against President-elect Donald Trump. Scarborough also denied a June Wall Street Journal report on the president's capabilities, which he called a “hit piece for Trump.”
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough issued a defense of President Biden in response to concerns about his ability to serve. (Screenshot/MSNBC)
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Vice President Kamala Harris has no remorse for repeatedly defending Biden's decency
Vice President Kamala Harris has repeatedly defended her boss against attacks on his ability to serve. Two weeks before the election, Harris sat down with NBC News' Haley Jackson, who asked her if she could say she was “honest” with Americans who have concerns about Biden's age.
“Joe Biden is a very accomplished, experienced person who is capable of everything anyone would want if he were president,” she said during the interview.
She said the president's debate performance in June was just “a bad night.”
Harris said that during her first interview as a presidential candidate in August He had no regrets What she said to the American people regarding Biden's health.
“I've worked with President Biden for almost four years and I'll tell you, it's really one of the greatest honors of my career. He cares deeply about the American people. He's very smart and loyal to the American people. I've spent hours and hours with him in the Oval Office or the Situation Room,” she added. “He has the intelligence, commitment, judgment, and disposition that I believe the American people rightly deserve in their president.”
Harris joined “The View” in early January 2024 He also defended Biden. She accused Republicans of promoting a narrative that the president is mentally unfit because they don't have “anything to stand for.”
During an interview with The New York Times in November 2023, Harris said that “age is more than just a fact of time.” She insisted that Biden had “absolute power around the world.”
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Karine Jean-Pierre laughs at the question about Biden's fitness on CNN
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who repeatedly dismissed questions about Biden's fitness and ability to serve throughout her tenure as press secretary, told CNN in June 2022 that she had difficulty keeping up with the president, dismissing a question posed by former CNN host Don Lemon.
“Don, you're asking me this question,” pointedly exclaimed the astonished Jean-Pierre. “Oh my God. He's the President of the United States.”
The press secretary then laughed and said she sometimes struggles even to keep up with Biden.
“This is not a question we should be asking,” she added. “Just look at the work he does. See how he delivers for the American people.”
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the latest developments in Syria from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on December 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. Syrian opposition fighters entered the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday. President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled the country, ending more than five decades of his family's rule. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images) (Pete Marovich/Getty Images)
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Gen. Mark Milley says Americans can “relax” about age concerns, based on his interactions with Biden
Gen. Mark Milley spoke to CBS News' “60 Minutes” in October 2023 and encouraged Americans to rest easy when pressed about concerns about Biden's age. Milley left his position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September 2023 and was nominated for the position by Trump.
“How people interpret that is up to them, but I interact with him frequently, I do his homework, I read the newspapers, I read all the pre-reading material. He is very, very involved in issues of great importance.” “War and peace, life and death,” Milley said.
“So, if the American people are concerned about someone who, you know, someone who makes war and peace decisions and has the ability to make decisions about nuclear weapons and things like that, I think they can rest easy,” he continued.
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Fox News' Martha McCallum asked Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a close ally of President Biden, whether he had any regrets about not speaking out about Biden's ability to serve during a recent interview on her show.
“I don't spend time with the president on weekends. I don't spend time with him socially or in person. My experience with him in the lead-up to that debate has led me to believe that he is fully capable of leading our nation effectively,” Coons said.
Coons, who took over the president's seat in the Senate after Biden was elected vice president, has repeatedly defended the president against attacks on his age. Fox News Digital reached out to Cabinet officials and their departments, asking them whether they believe Biden is fit to serve this week, and whether they stand by previous statements of confidence in his ability to continue.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement in September that he had “full confidence in President Biden’s ability to carry out his duties.” The Department of Homeland Security said The Secretary stands by those comments.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks to Politico Senior Writer Ankush Kharduri during Politico's annual AI and Technology Summit on September 17, 2024 in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called Biden “one of the most accomplished presidents in American history who continues to effectively lead our country with a steady hand.”
A spokesman for her office said she stood by her comments.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fox News' Jeffrey Clark and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
