‘We Could Not Change The Subject’: Democrat Whines About Media Focus On Biden’s Mental Fitness After Debate

The media paved the way for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race after his fumbling debate performance drove coverage on his mental state, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) complained on Monday.

Coons, who served as co-chair of Biden’s now-defunct campaign and now holds the same role in Vice President Kamala Harris‘ presidential endeavor, griped about the press during a Fox News appearance.

“After the debate, there was a relentless media focus on whether or not President Biden was as sharp as he had been in his 70s,” he said. “And day after day, week after week, we could not change the subject.”

Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons STUNS @JohnRobertsFox when he blames the media for pressuring Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race. pic.twitter.com/6Vu0PZ4vJe

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 19, 2024

Coons was participating in the interview from Chicago, where the Democratic National Convention is taking place this week. He predicted Biden would speak “well” during his speech on Monday evening.

Fox News anchor John Roberts pressed for clarification — after Coons added that Biden stepping aside was “his decision” — on the complaint about the media focusing on the president’s mental condition.

“Let me just add one quick question, just to put a button on this: So you’re saying the reason why he’s not the nominee anymore is because of the media?” Roberts asked.

“I’m saying that after what was an admittedly a very bad debate performance,” Coons said, “he was sick, he had travelled too much, he did not perform well — that he reevaluated his path forward as a candidate.”

“Over the next three weeks,” Coons added, as Biden “gave interview after interview, speech after speech, rally after rally, the media wouldn’t let him move on.”

“And the polls began to reflect that folks did not have the confidence that he could serve four years as our next president,” he continued.

“Ultimately, it was the opinion of the American people and the opinion of those closest to him that mattered. I think he’s made the right decision,” Coons said.

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Biden ended his re-election bid in July under pressure from many of his allies after a debate where he appeared confused and lost his train of thought while up against former President Donald Trump.

Harris, who had once again been Biden’s running mate in the 2024 race, now tops the Democratic Party’s ticket and is expected to formally accept the presidential nomination later this week.