Jenna Psaki Talks Biden’s Fitness Amidst Election Concerns
In a recent interview, former White House press secretary Jen Psaki shared her thoughts on President Joe Biden’s performance during her tenure in the administration. Psaki maintained that she never witnessed any decline in Biden’s health, stating, “I never saw that person—not a single time,” referring to his ability to handle challenges in the Oval Office. This assertion comes in light of ongoing discussions about Biden’s fitness as he prepares for the upcoming election.
During her chat on the "Mixed Signals" podcast, Psaki addressed the scrutiny surrounding Biden’s age and performance, particularly during a debate earlier in June 2024 that raised eyebrows regarding his readiness for another term. Following that debate, Biden stepped down and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
In her role as press secretary, Psaki was frequently at the president’s side, underscoring her assertion that she saw no signs of decline. However, she acknowledged the natural changes that come with aging, stating, “I’m not a doctor. Aging happens quite quickly.” Since leaving the White House in May 2022, she noted that she hadn’t seen Biden in person for over two years.
While discussing the media’s handling of Biden’s age-related concerns, Psaki warned against using the term “cover-up” to describe the White House’s responses. She emphasized that such terminology carries significant implications, often associated with serious offenses, and likened its usage to past scandals like Watergate. “I think it’s a bit of a dangerous term,” she expressed.
Psaki also reflected on the media’s coverage of Biden’s health, admitting, “Maybe the media missed a lot.” Acknowledging the complexity of reporting on such sensitive issues, she suggested that it’s easier to criticize coverage in retrospect. She noted significant events and stories that may have slipped through the cracks during her time in the press office.
Echoing these sentiments, Axios reporter Alex Thompson pointed out during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner that journalists could have done a better job covering Biden’s health issues. This underscores a growing concern in conservative circles that media outlets may not have adequately addressed legitimate questions surrounding Biden’s well-being.
Yet, Psaki implied there were reasons for this hesitancy. She indicated that an aggressive narrative from conservative circles about Biden’s age and perceived decline created a challenging environment for the press. “There was an aggressive all-out pitching operation from the right-wing about Joe Biden’s age… the majority of which wasn’t true from 2019-2022,” Psaki stated. She believed this might have influenced the media’s approach to covering his health.
Looking ahead, Psaki expressed concern that Biden’s legacy might be overshadowed by how the 2024 race unfolds, particularly regarding questions about his fitness. Her successor, Karine Jean-Pierre, often dismissed inquiries about Biden’s age and criticized media representations of him as “cheap fakes,” which may have contributed to skepticism among voters.
As she prepares to transition to a more prominent role at MSNBC, becoming the host of a new program called “The Briefing,” Psaki’s reflections on Biden’s presidency serve as a reminder of the intricate dynamics between the media, public perception, and the realities of political leadership.
With the pressure mounting as the election approaches, it remains to be seen how these discussions about Biden’s ability to serve will shape voter opinions in the coming months. Whether these conversations will bring about significant change in how the presidency is viewed or whether they will cement Biden’s standing remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the scrutiny of his fitness will not fade easily as election day looms.
