Staff Reports
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) questioned President Joe Biden’s mental sharpness during their negotiations, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The report, based on interviews with lawmakers and political insiders, claimed that Biden frequently showed mental lapses behind closed doors. McCarthy further explained his concerns, stating that Biden’s mental capacity had deteriorated significantly since becoming president.
McCarthy described Biden’s performance as inconsistent, noting that the president seemed sharp at times but less so at others. He recounted instances of Biden rambling and relying on cue cards during negotiations, expressing frustration with the president’s forgetfulness and slow demeanor. According to McCarthy, Biden exhibited variable levels of alertness over the course of their meetings, at times appearing spontaneous and at other times appearing forgetful and slow.
Hmm. McCarthy to WSJ: “He’s not the same person.”
Reporting w/ @anniekarni last year – "Privately, Mr. McCarthy has told allies that he has found Mr. Biden to be mentally sharp in meetings." https://t.co/RkImRpDKvV
— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) June 5, 2024
The White House strongly refuted the accusations in the Wall Street Journal report, particularly challenging McCarthy’s statements. White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates highlighted apparent contradictions in McCarthy’s version of events and dismissed his criticisms as unfounded. Bates also pointed out that Democratic members of Congress who refuted the claims were excluded from the article.
Despite McCarthy’s remarks, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough and New York Times reporter Katie Rogers cited previous private statements from McCarthy in which he had reportedly found Biden mentally sharp in meetings. Additionally, Senator James Risch (R-IO) shared a critical impression of his meetings with Biden, echoing concerns about the president’s performance behind closed doors.
Critics of the Biden administration have raised questions about the president’s mental acuity, citing concerns over his age and comparing his press conference frequency to that of former President Donald Trump. Additionally, White House visitor logs have reportedly shown a decline in the number of people visiting the president.
Overall, the debate over Biden’s mental sharpness continues to be a point of contention, with supporters and critics offering conflicting perspectives on the president’s performance behind closed doors.
