WSJ’s coverage of Biden’s acuity takes criticism

Oliver Darcy of CNN writes that a Wall Street Journal article earlier this week about President Joe Biden’s acuity is drawing criticism.

Darcy writes, “A spokesperson for The Journal told me that the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper, which is under the stewardship of newish editor Emma Tucker, ‘stands by its reporting.’ If Tucker is comfortable with such shoddy journalism, it is worrisome.

“It is difficult to imagine that the newspaper, or any outlet, would run a similar story declaring that Trump is “slipping” behind the scenes based on the word of top Democratic figures — despite the fact that the Democratic leadership has demonstrated a much stronger relationship with the truth in recent years than their Republican counterparts.

“More broadly speaking, The Journal’s piece pointed to a continued problem roiling the news media as it covers the 2024 election. Trump is permitted to fall asleep in court and make nonsensical public statements on a routine basis without any serious questions raised about his mental acuity. Meanwhile, Biden is judged on an entirely different standard.

“Where are the stories about Trump’s former inner circle raising questions about his mental fitness? Alyssa Farah Griffin, who served as his communications director, has publicly stated that Trump is ‘not as sharp’ as he once was. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who served as ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, has also repeatedly raised issues about the Republican candidate’s mental fitness, describing him as ‘declining’ and ‘diminished’ and ‘not the same person he was in 2016.'”

Read more here.