The White House is actively contending with a barrage of viral videos portraying President Joe Biden in an unfavorable light, focusing on alleged mental lapses.
In what appears to be a coordinated media strategy to dispel misinformation, officials have stepped up to defend the President against claims of cognitive decline fueled by selectively edited videos.
According to Breitbart News, the clips, predominantly shared by right-leaning media outlets, have been criticized for their portrayal of President Biden. Outlets like The Daily Beast have extensively countered these depictions, highlighting the manipulative editing practices used.
The White House has issued strong rebukes against these publications amid this media controversy. They describe the circulated videos as "cheap fake" representations, indicative of declining journalistic standards among conservative outlets.
The debate over these videos was further fueled by instances, such as a misrepresented moment at a Hollywood fundraiser where President Biden appeared to momentarily freeze on stage. Another video from an event in Italy bred baseless rumors which circulated across social media platforms.
Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates has been vocal about his disdain for what these outlets consider unethical reporting. “The New York Post, along with other conservative media, continues to undercut its credibility with these deceptive practices,” said Bates.
Andrew Bates highlighted the President’s achievements in various sectors despite the negative focus. Bates emphasized the substantial economic growth, reduction in violent crime, revival of manufacturing jobs, and strengthening of international alliances under Biden's administration.
His remarks coincide with debates about the President's suitability for office due to age-related concerns, spurred by an ABC News/Ipsos poll indicating widespread belief that Biden may be too old for another presidential term.
This occurrence coincides with ongoing public gaffes and instances of forgetfulness from President Biden, occurring over several months. These moments have contributed to the intensifying scrutiny of his fitness for leadership.
The narrative surrounding President Biden's mental acuity concerns not only the videos but also the broader implications of media influence on public perception. Right-leaning lawmakers and media figures have recently increased their focus on these deceptively edited clips.
According to the comments made to The Daily Beast by White House officials, these videos have been widely criticized for falling short of ethical journalistic practices. The administration is making concerted efforts to address and correct the misinformation spreading through these channels.
Andrew Bates further called out the coverage by conservative media, expressing frustration with their portrayal of the President. He said:
Fresh off being fact-checked by at least 6 mainstream outlets for lying about President Biden with cheap fakes, Rupert Murdoch's sad little super PAC, the New York Post, is back to disrespecting its readers & itself once again... Their ethical standards could do with a little unfreezing. By pretending the President taking in an applauding crowd for a few seconds is somehow wrong, all they’re admitting—once again—is they can't take on the leadership that's fueling the strongest economic growth in the world, bringing violent crime to a 50-year low, restoring manufacturing jobs from overseas, and strengthening our alliances.
As the White House continues to counter the narrative of cognitive decline, it is clear that the battle over public perception will play a significant role in shaping future political discourse. The administration remains steadfast in highlighting President Biden's role in significant economic and sociopolitical advancements amidst attempts to discredit his capacity to govern.
