Wall Street Journal Critiques Jake Tapper Over Biden Coverage
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board criticized CNN host Jake Tapper on Sunday for previously brushing off a June 2024 article that highlighted concerns about former President Joe Biden’s perceived decline. This criticism coincides with the release of Tapper’s new book detailing Biden’s time in office.
In a piece published on June 4, 2024, the Journal noted that several individuals directly observing Biden expressed worry regarding his decline. Tapper referenced the White House’s response to concerns about that article, even as the Journal denied its assertions, emphasizing their ownership by the Murdock family.
The editorial board suggested that a more inquisitive journalist might have delved deeper into the claims and perhaps conducted their own investigations. It pointed out that Tapper now seems to concede that the Journal was correct.
Reports indicated that Biden was exhibiting “signs of slipping,” with discussions held with 45 lawmakers and officials about his mental fitness. Tapper’s upcoming book, co-authored with Axios’s Alex Thompson, titled “Original Singh: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” is set to release on Tuesday.
Notably, medical experts have described Biden as battling a “very aggressive” form of prostate cancer characterized by bone metastasis.
The editorial also contended that local media plays a central role in what they term the “cover-up” of Biden’s aging. They argue that any mention of Biden’s difficulties in performing his duties prompts swift denials from the media establishment.
As a defining moment approached—a debate that would lay Biden’s cognitive challenges bare on the global stage—Tapper had noted the White House’s strong opposition to claims made in the Journal report. He repeatedly underscored that the criticisms stemmed mainly from partisan viewpoints, notably when defending Biden against the report’s implications.
A spokesperson for CNN refuted claims that Tapper failed to adequately cover Biden’s issues prior to that pivotal debate. They emphasized his extensive career as a journalist, asserting that he addresses concerns about Biden’s mental acuity and has raised these issues in discussions with Biden officials.
Despite the criticisms, the spokesperson pointed out that Tapper has previously aired Biden’s health discussions and even highlighted incidents like his fall while biking. This ongoing dialogue, they argue, provides a balanced view amidst allegations of inadequate coverage.
Democrats have also faced scrutiny from the Journal, which suggests they should reconsider Biden’s reelection candidacy. They remarked on the long-term implications of a potential cover-up of Biden’s mental health, framing it as a considerable political scandal characterized by their refusal to acknowledge public perception.
Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis, described as “aggressive,” became public knowledge shortly after the editorial’s publication, revealing new layers to the ongoing discussion around his fitness for the presidency.
