Media Coverage of Biden’s Presidency Discussed
During a segment on PBS’s “Washington Week,” CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson engaged with Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg regarding how the media portrays President Biden. Goldberg expressed confusion about the narrative surrounding Biden, stating, “I think what’s going on here is a lack of understanding of how reporting works.”
Goldberg added, “One interesting topic discussed last week was the media’s role in examining books. But I don’t want to dive too deeply into media criticism at this point.” He referred to a piece by Mark Leibovich in the Atlantic from June 2022 that questioned why Biden should not seek reelection. He noted Biden’s struggles with prepared speeches, which sometimes make his aides visibly tense. He remarked on the media’s failure to adequately cover Biden, suggesting that to show his decline, credible sources need to be cited. “What are your thoughts on that?” he asked.
Tapper responded by pointing out how conservative outlets, including Fox, have circulated various clips of Biden, including one where a Fox anchor referred to him in a disparaging tone. Tapper acknowledged that while airing such clips can be significant, it oddly reflects the current circumstances and raises questions about the media’s underlying motivations. Goldberg agreed, emphasizing the distinction between investigative journalism and simply observing critiques.
Thompson chimed in, recognizing the scrutiny on Biden’s age. He remarked that Leibovich’s article served as a fitting example, though he felt there wasn’t enough rigorous reporting on Biden’s capability or how age might genuinely influence his performance. Goldberg concurred, adding to the conversation.
Thompson further noted the mixed reactions following a June 2024 article from the Wall Street Journal, which had sparked some criticism among reporters, indicating a lack of unity on the topic.
Tapper concluded by mentioning how some journalists had criticized the WSJ reporter who reported on Biden’s decline, a sentiment that Goldberg supported.
