POLITICS

The Hidden Struggle: Biden's Public Decline and the Efforts to Conceal It

Washington, D.C., USATue May 06 2025
The public has long been aware of President Joe Biden's cognitive struggles. His confusion and disorientation have been evident in numerous public events. Yet, the White House and its allies have consistently denied these issues, often blaming others for the evidence. This denial has been a significant part of the "inside story, " which involves efforts to hide Biden's decline from the public eye. The "outside story" is what the public sees. Biden's moments of confusion, such as when he wandered off at the Normandy anniversary or froze during a Juneteenth event, have been clear to millions of viewers. Opinion polls have also shown that many voters are aware of Biden's struggles. Despite this, the White House and its supporters have denied the problem, even accusing Republicans of manipulating videos to make Biden look bad. The term "cheapfakes" was used by Biden's defenders to dismiss clear video evidence of his cognitive decline. This term was used to label videos showing Biden's confusion or disorientation as manipulated or edited to make him look worse than he actually was. The White House and its allies in the media often echoed these denials, further complicating the situation. One notable example occurred when a reporter asked then-White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre about a series of videos showing Biden's struggles. Jean-Pierre dismissed these videos as "cheapfakes, " claiming they were created in bad faith by right-wing critics. She also praised news organizations that denounced those who highlighted Biden's condition, rather than investigating the issue themselves. The debate in Atlanta marked a turning point. Biden's cognitive decline was impossible to hide, and the "inside story" failed to suppress the "outside story. " This event likely sealed Biden's fate as a candidate. As more information comes to light, it becomes clear that the Biden team and its allies went to great lengths to conceal the truth about his cognitive decline. The public's awareness of Biden's struggles has been a significant factor in the "outside story. " Despite the efforts of the White House and its allies to deny the problem, the evidence has been clear to many. As more information about the "inside story" comes to light, it is likely that the public will continue to question the actions of those who sought to conceal the truth.