Political commentator Joe Concha pushed back on the idea that former President Joe Biden experienced a sudden decline in cognitive function just prior to his withdrawal from the presidential race. Concha specifically challenged recent comments by Jen Psaki, the former White House Press Secretary and current MSNBC host.
Psaki, speaking on a podcast, attributed her realization of Biden's struggles to his performance during the June 2024 presidential debate. She described the moment as a "disaster" and stated that during her tenure as press secretary, she "never saw that person" who appeared on the debate stage, adding that aging "happens quite quickly."
Concha disputed this characterization, suggesting that signs of the president's struggles were evident well before the late June debate. His comments imply a different timeline for observing changes in Biden's public appearances and communication style.
The debate performance against Donald Trump marked a turning point for many observers regarding Biden's ability to seek a second term. Reports from DC insiders, media members, and the public noted instances where the president appeared to lose his train of thought or stumble over words.
This shift in perception contributed to increased scrutiny of Biden's fitness for office. Less than a month following the debate, Biden ended his reelection campaign and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, who subsequently became the Democratic nominee.
The discussion around the timing of recognizing Biden's struggles connects to a broader conversation about whether information regarding his health and cognitive state was fully transparent. This topic is reportedly explored in an upcoming book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.
Thompson addressed this point at a recent event, stating, "President Biden’s decline and its cover-up by the people around him is a reminder that every White House, regardless of party, is capable of deception."
