Peter Doocy, Fox News White House correspondent, has been a prominent voice raising questions about President Joe Biden’s mental fitness throughout his presidency. Doocy’s persistent inquiries and scrutiny have contributed to a broader conversation about the former president’s cognitive abilities and whether White House staff were actively concealing any potential decline.
Doocy’s “Unique Insight” on Biden
Doocy asserted that his six years of covering Biden provided him with “unique insight” into the then-president’s condition. In a recent social media post, Doocy highlighted his repeated attempts to address the issue of Biden’s mental fitness, pushing back against claims that the media had ignored the concerns.
Key Moments of Questioning
Doocy’s challenges to Biden and his administration have taken various forms, often focusing on specific incidents or reports that raised concerns about Biden’s cognitive state:
The Hur Report
A significant point of contention arose following the release of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on Biden’s handling of classified documents. Hur’s description of Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” fueled further scrutiny.
- The Exchange: During a press conference on February 8, 2024, Doocy directly confronted Biden about Hur’s assessment. “Something the special counsel said in his report is that one of the reasons you were not charged is because, in his description, you are a ‘well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,'” Doocy stated.
- Biden’s Response: Biden retorted, “I’m well-meaning and I’m an elderly man and I know what the hell I’m doing. I’ve been president and I put this country back on its feet. I don’t need his recommendation.”
- Further Probing: Doocy pressed further, asking Biden how bad his memory was and whether he could continue to serve as president. Biden’s response was a sharp, “My memory is so bad, I let you speak.”
Gaffes and Public Appearances
Doocy also questioned Biden’s fitness based on perceived gaffes and incidents during public appearances:
- Confusion Over French Presidents: Doocy questioned then- White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about an incident in Las Vegas where Biden appeared to confuse French President Emmanuel Macron with François Mitterrand, who died in 1996.
- Repeating Stories: Doocy also inquired about instances where Biden repeated stories verbatim, suggesting a possible memory lapse.
- Concerns About Voters: Referencing polls indicating widespread concern about Biden’s health, Doocy asked how the president would reassure voters about his physical and mental well-being.
White House Staff and “Cover-Ups”
Doocy also raised questions about the role of White House staff in potentially concealing Biden’s cognitive state:
- Wall Street Journal Report: Following a Wall Street Journal report alleging that White House staff concealed signs of Biden’s mental decline, Doocy lamented the lack of questions about the report during a press briefing. He described the report as potentially “the biggest cover-up in Washington since Watergate,” noting that it claimed unelected staff knew Biden might be “diminished” and actively worked to hide that information.
- Treatment “Like a Baby”: Citing Franklin Foer’s book “The Last Politician,” Doocy asked about reports that Biden was treated “like a baby” by his staff.
Jean-Pierre’s Defenses and Dodges
In response to Doocy’s persistent questioning, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre often defended Biden’s fitness or deflected the inquiries:
- Dismissing Concerns: Jean-Pierre frequently dismissed concerns about Biden’s gaffes and memory lapses, asserting that he was capable and fit to serve.
- Avoiding the “Rabbit Hole”: When Doocy pressed about Biden’s confusion regarding the French presidents, Jean-Pierre stated, “I’m not even going to go down that rabbit hole with you, sir.”
- Highlighting Biden’s Schedule: Jean-Pierre often pointed to Biden’s active schedule and public appearances as evidence of his fitness.
- Transparency: Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency, referencing past medical disclosures.
Beyond Doocy: Broader Concerns and Scrutiny
While Doocy has been a leading voice, concerns about Biden’s mental acuity have extended beyond Fox News:
- Special Counsel Report: The findings of Special Counsel Hur’s report amplified existing concerns and prompted widespread discussion.
- Democratic Concerns: Later in 2024, amid Biden’s re-election campaign, some Democrats reportedly called on him to drop his candidacy due to concerns about his age and performance.
- Media Commentary: Other journalists and commentators have also raised questions about Biden’s cognitive abilities, citing various incidents and observations.
The Evolving Narrative
The narrative surrounding Biden’s mental fitness has been a recurring theme throughout his presidency, influencing the national conversation and shaping perceptions of his leadership:
- Verbal Slips and Physical Mishaps: Critics have seized upon Biden’s verbal slips and physical incidents as evidence of his unsuitability for office.
- Supporters’ Defense: Supporters have highlighted his long record of public service, active schedule, and medical transparency as proof of his fitness.
- Impact on Political Parties: The discussion has affected both major political parties, raising broader questions about the age and health of political leaders.
Doocy’s Continued Focus
Peter Doocy continues to highlight what he sees as the Biden administration’s attempts to manage the narrative surrounding the former president’s health. He has stated that he was “right and first” in reporting on Biden’s “walled-off White House,” suggesting that his early scrutiny has been vindicated by subsequent events and reports.
