Former NBC host Chuck Todd has pushed back against claims that mainstream media neglected to report on former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity, labeling it a “right-wing manufactured” narrative meant to undermine journalists.
During a conversation with former CNN commentator Chris Cillizza on his Substack, Todd asserted that any alleged concealment of Biden’s cognitive state should be attributed to Democratic Party leaders, not the media.
The former “Meet the Press” host acknowledged that some MSNBC and CNN commentators “absolutely carried water” for Biden, differentiating them from what he considers true journalists. Todd argued these commentators were former strategists, not genuine members of the press.
Todd’s remarks followed criticism from Axios reporter Alex Thompson, who at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner criticized media colleagues for what he saw as insufficient coverage of Biden’s cognitive challenges. Thompson, co-authoring a book on the subject with CNN’s Jake Tapper, used his speech to spotlight what he perceives as a significant journalistic lapse.
Defending the media, Todd pointed to instances of substantive coverage of Biden’s condition during his presidency, referencing a Washington Post column by David Ignatius published in October 2023 questioning Biden’s suitability for a second term.
Todd stated he supported Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips during the primaries, as Phillips ran a campaign addressing Biden’s fitness concerns in a sensible way.
The seasoned broadcaster contrasted the coverage of Biden’s decline with what he considers a true media failure: the reporting on weapons of mass destruction during the Bush administration. Todd emphasized that the current situation does not reflect a similar institutional failure of journalism.
“This was not that failure,” Todd said, describing current media criticism as “virtue signaling” and an attempt to create division among news organizations, diverting blame from Democratic Party leadership.
Todd specifically mentioned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former First Lady Jill Biden, former President Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Democratic members of Congress as responsible for what he termed a “disaster.”
“There were water carriers, but they’re not real journalists!” Todd exclaimed, specifically pointing to former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, now a commentator for MSNBC.
This debate over media coverage arises as several journalists plan to release books on Biden’s cognitive decline and alleged concealment efforts. The controversy intensified after Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, leading to increased scrutiny of how his condition was reported during his tenure.
In a recent appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Todd offered a somewhat contradictory view, acknowledging that mainstream media were hesitant to directly address questions about Biden’s mental acuity during the 2024 presidential campaign. Todd told Morgan that journalists were reluctant to push harder on Biden’s age out of concern that doing so would benefit then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Todd explained that the media approached the subject indirectly. He told Morgan they covered Biden’s decline by noting behaviors like the president using back staircases instead of front staircases and avoiding interviews, but stopped short of drawing explicit conclusions about his fitness.
“Look, we were subtle,” Todd said to Morgan. He admitted there was reluctance among mainstream journalists to directly question Biden’s capabilities.
Meanwhile, former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has called for a thorough investigation into what she describes as a cover-up of Biden’s decline. Appearing on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” McEnany argued that such an investigation needs to be pursued “fervently” over the next four years.
Public trust in media has fallen to a five-decade low according to recent polling, with the Biden coverage controversy potentially exacerbating this trend. Multiple journalists have acknowledged missing or downplaying signs of Biden’s cognitive issues during his presidency.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the press, political parties, and the public regarding expectations of journalistic accountability and transparency in covering high-profile political figures. As books and firsthand accounts continue to emerge about the Biden presidency, the question of whether the media adequately informed the public about his condition remains contentious.