Members of the White House press corps have faced criticism for their handling of concerns over President Biden's age before the debate. Reporters have defended their reporting, stating that Biden's decline has been gradual and challenging to pinpoint. The White House has been accused of discouraging stories about Biden's age, with reporters mentioning instances of pushback and criticism after publishing such pieces.
Some reporters highlighted that the White House keeps Biden at arm's length, limiting access for extended interviews. However, there were opinions within the press corps that more should have been done to report on Biden's accommodations, suggesting a lack of curiosity among some journalists.
Regarding the coverage of Biden's age, some reporters acknowledged the complexity of the issue, considering the stakes of the presidential election and the comparison to former President Trump. While reflecting on potential underreporting of Biden's age, reporters emphasized the importance of balanced reporting and not neglecting other critical aspects, such as Trump's falsehoods.
Furthermore, a reporter criticized the right-wing media for labeling Biden as senile from the beginning, cautioning against giving credence to bad-faith actors. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed concerns about Biden's mental and physical health during a briefing, emphasizing that Biden is fighting for the American people despite a rocky debate performance.
Questions from the press corps largely focused on Biden's age, prompting discussions about the necessity of addressing this topic. Liberal critics have raised concerns about the media's coverage, suggesting a lack of emphasis on Trump's age and mental acuity, given that he is just three years younger than Biden.
