Michael LaRosa, the former press secretary to Jill Biden, recently offered startling insights into the internal dynamics of the White House concerning former President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities and age.
In a seminar, he disclosed that the White House downplayed significant concerns regarding Biden's cognitive state throughout his presidency, Fox News reported.
LaRosa's revelations came during a discussion at a seminar facilitated by journalist Tara Palmeri of Puck, hosted at the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics at American University. This seminar, entitled “Covering the President,” took an unexpected turn as LaRosa detailed the strategies employed to shield Biden from media scrutiny over his mental fitness.
Throughout his term, Biden's cognitive abilities were a topic of intense debate, often spurred by media speculation and various reports. Notably, incidents reported included a Special Counsel investigation, viral videos showing the president in moments of confusion, and behind-the-scenes descriptions from a Wall Street Journal report, intensifying public and media speculation.
Despite these concerns, many within the White House, as well as some journalists, dismissed the severity of the situation, attributing it to partisan attacks. LaRosa admitted a widespread hesitation within the administration to expose Biden to unscripted or spontaneous media engagements, believing such scenarios could highlight his difficulties.
Micheal LaRosa commented on the dichotomy in media perceptions influenced by where one got their news. He observed that those primarily following platforms like MSNBC might have been shielded from the more critical concerns surrounding Biden's fitness for office. This shielding led to public surprise as more troubling reports surfaced.
Despite the efforts to maintain a positive image of Biden, internal troubles brewed over his declining popularity as the 2024 election neared. LaRosa revealed that there was consistent downplaying of negative polling data, even as signs pointed to eroding public support for the president.
The tactics used were described vividly by LaRosa, who used the term "gaslight" to characterize the campaign's attitude toward handling polling data that did not favor them. This term suggests a deliberate effort to manipulate public perception to dismiss or doubt their own observations and concerns.
The administration's approach to polling and media portrayal came under further scrutiny as more left-leaning outlets began to report on the president's polling and age-related issues. New York Times and other outlets faced criticism from the White House when they altered their tune around mid-2024, addressing rather than ignoring these critical issues.
Some of Biden's advisors reportedly worried about his health from the early days of his term, showing that concerns about his capabilities were not just external criticisms but also shared by those close to him. LaRosa candidly shared in the seminar that managing public and media interactions became increasingly difficult without the former president appearing unprepared or confused.
The former press secretary expressed frustration over how Biden’s own team treated him, hinting at their lack of trust in his ability to engage freely with the media despite his known affinity for such interactions. His remark suggested that deep-seated caution within the team potentially stemmed from fear of exposing Biden’s vulnerabilities publicly.
Reflecting on the broader implications of his and his team’s actions, LaRosa highlighted the complex challenges of managing political communication in an era of intense media scrutiny and polarization.
As demands for transparency and authenticity continue to grow, political figures and their staffs often struggle to protect their leaders while maintaining public trust. This delicate balance can lead to controversial decisions, such as those LaRosa witnessed and described regarding former President Joe Biden's tenure.
