Veteran CBS News journalist Jan Crawford has criticized major news outlets for failing to adequately report on President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline throughout the 2024 election season. During a segment on Face the Nation, Crawford described the issue as the “most undercovered and underreported story” of the year, arguing that the lack of scrutiny shielded Biden from early accountability during a crucial election cycle.
Media’s Missed Responsibility
Crawford pointed to multiple instances over the past four years where Biden’s cognitive abilities visibly declined, suggesting that media organizations deliberately avoided the topic. “The American public deserved more transparency from the press about what was clearly happening,” Crawford said. “Had this been thoroughly examined earlier, it’s possible the political landscape would have looked very different.”
She also referenced reports from inside the White House that described concerted efforts by aides to manage and obscure signs of Biden’s decline. According to Crawford, this enabled the president to avoid tougher questions about his capacity to serve a second term, potentially stifling internal challenges within the Democratic Party.
Impact on the Election
Concerns about Biden’s mental fitness came to a head after a highly criticized performance during the June 27 debate against Donald Trump. Struggling to articulate responses, Biden faced mounting pressure from party leaders, ultimately leading him to withdraw from the race in July. Vice President Kamala Harris was selected as the Democratic nominee but lost to Trump in the general election.
Crawford argued that if media outlets had pressed harder on Biden’s fitness for office earlier, the Democratic Party might have been better positioned to select a stronger candidate. “The public narrative was managed to downplay what was obvious, and voters were deprived of critical information,” she said.
Biden’s Regrets
Despite the fallout, reports have surfaced that Biden privately regrets stepping aside. According to insiders, the president believes he could have won against Trump if he had stayed in the race. Crawford dismissed such sentiments as “wishful thinking” or a deliberate attempt to shift the narrative, saying, “The reality is that his decline was evident, and the media’s failure to address it head-on did a disservice to voters.”
A Call for Accountability
Crawford’s comments highlight ongoing concerns about media responsibility and transparency in covering the health and fitness of public officials. Her critique underscores the importance of honest reporting, particularly when it involves the physical and mental well-being of leaders tasked with making critical decisions for the nation.
As the country moves forward, Crawford emphasized the need for a more rigorous examination of public officials to ensure voters have the information they need to make informed choices. “The press has a duty to tell the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it might be,” she concluded.