Recent revelations have cast a spotlight on the media's handling of President Biden's perceived cognitive decline and his family's financial dealings. Critics argue that major news outlets shielded Biden from negative coverage, particularly during the 2020 election cycle.
Several journalists have come forward with accounts of stories being suppressed or delayed. Former Politico reporter Marc Caputo alleges that a story about a tax lien on Hunter Biden, related to his work at Burisma, was killed by editors without explanation. Another Politico reporter, Tara Palmeri, claims her reporting on Hunter Biden's gun incident was significantly delayed. Both suggest that similar stories involving the Trump family would have been published more quickly.
The Hunter Biden laptop controversy also drew criticism. A leaked recording reportedly captured CNN executives instructing staff to avoid the story. Other outlets, including Politico and NPR, faced scrutiny for their minimal coverage. Former NPR editor Uri Berliner even suggested the decision not to cover the laptop was politically motivated.
Beyond Hunter Biden, the media's handling of President Biden's health has also come under fire. Reports suggest that the White House carefully managed Biden's schedule to accommodate his age, and some interviewers claimed their interactions with the president were heavily scripted. The Wall Street Journal's reporting on Biden's cognitive state was met with hostility from some media figures, who accused the paper of promoting a GOP narrative.
The aftermath of the 2024 CNN debate saw a shift in the media narrative. Several journalists expressed regret over their previous coverage, acknowledging they may have downplayed legitimate concerns about Biden's fitness for office. Some conceded the possibility of unconscious bias, suggesting a reluctance to cover stories that might benefit Donald Trump.
