CBS News reporter Jan Crawford has criticized news organizations for not thoroughly covering President Biden’s “obvious cognitive decline” this year, suggesting that stronger reporting could have changed the outcome of the 2024 election.
Crawford, the network’s chief legal correspondent, made the comments on CBS’s “Face the Nation” while discussing the most underreported story of 2024. She noted that Biden’s mental fitness had become a major concern following a televised debate against Donald Trump over the summer, and that the media should have done more to question his ability to serve as president.
Crawford pointed to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, which revealed that White House aides had formed a tight circle around Biden to limit his in-person interactions and help him conserve energy. She suggested that this might have been a sign that Biden’s mental decline had become a significant issue, and that the media should have done more to explore this topic.
The veteran journalist also criticized news outlets for not aggressively pursuing stories about Biden’s mental fitness, citing his repeated gaffes and on-camera struggles over the past year. She believes that if the media had done more to ask tough questions about Biden’s ability to lead the nation, it could have had a significant impact on the election outcome.
Crawford’s comments come as some have raised concerns about Biden’s mental fitness, with his debate performance sparking widespread questions about his ability to lead the country. Biden has consistently denied any memory lapses or cognitive decline, but his aides have acknowledged that he has been dealing with physical and mental health issues.
Overall, Crawford’s remarks suggest that the media’s failure to thoroughly cover Biden’s cognitive decline might have had significant consequences for the 2024 election.