Joe Scarborough Defends Biden Against ‘Media Elite’ Criticisms to Step Down

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough defended President Joe Biden’s reelection bid and criticized “media elites” for urging Biden to step down following his poor performance in a recent debate. On Monday’s episode of “Morning Joe,” Scarborough reversed his previous stance, asserting that Biden should run in 2024 despite earlier suggesting that Biden might lose without significant change.

Scarborough questioned the legitimacy of media and political elites trying to influence Biden’s decision. “So Biden allies, now, this is what they’re going to say, ‘Oh, wait a second, so you’re telling me that media elites and billionaire donors and Washington politicians and Washington [sic] moguls, they all think that they can substitute their judgment for the judgment of millions of Democratic primary voters?’” Scarborough remarked.

He continued, “John Heilemann, it may happen. And this isn’t about what ought to be, this is about what is, and you know, Joe Biden has a fired up, angry Democratic base in parts, and he’s gotten a lot of elites putting him in a position where he can look strong, staring them down.”

Biden, 81, faced criticism after a poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump, followed by an “incoherent” interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos. When pressed by “Morning Joe” anchors about his cognitive state, Biden seemed frustrated and defensive. “So, but look, I had a bad night,” Biden admitted, attributing his performance to an infection. “But the fact of the matter is … look at what I’m doing, I mean, let me put it this way. If there was something that was wrong that night, it’s not like it’s [unintelligible] that’s one night and goes away, that’s why I’ve been out. I’ve been testing myself everywhere I go. Going out and making the case. The night of that debate I went out, I was out until two o’clock in the morning. That very night! That very night! It drives me NUTS people talking about this!”

After the debate, Scarborough questioned Biden’s ability to run for president in 2024. “Donald Trump lied over and over and over and over again, and Joe Biden couldn’t respond to any of those lies,” Scarborough noted, referencing an article from Mediaite. He added that Biden “spent much of the night with his mouth agape and his eyes darting back and forth,” unable to fact-check Trump’s statements.

Despite his criticisms, Scarborough emphasized that Biden had been “cogent” during their interactions in March, but he was disappointed with Biden’s debate performance. “This man always rises to the occasion,” Scarborough said, expressing his surprise and concern that Biden did not rise to the occasion during the debate.

Scarborough’s defense of Biden underscores the intense scrutiny and pressure the president faces as he prepares for the 2024 election. With debates over Biden’s cognitive abilities and leadership capabilities continuing, the Democratic base and broader electorate will be watching closely as the campaign unfolds.

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