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(TJV) Chris Cillizza, a former editor-at-large for CNN, has issued a public apology for failing to adequately investigate and report on concerns regarding President Joe Biden’s mental and physical health. Speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, Cillizza admitted to being influenced by the White House’s messaging and his own reluctance to delve into the issue, which he now acknowledges as a failure of journalistic responsibility.
“As a reporter, I have a confession to make,” Cillizza began. “I should have pushed harder earlier for more information about Joe Biden’s mental and physical well-being and any signs of decline.” His remarks follow recent revelations by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, which described Biden’s alleged cognitive and physical deterioration, raising questions about his ability to continue serving as president.
Admitting Fault
Cillizza reflected on his time at CNN, acknowledging that Republicans frequently urged him to address Biden’s perceived decline. However, he admitted to dismissing their concerns, explaining, “I would brush them off because I hadn’t seen evidence of the president’s decline.”
He also confessed to taking the White House’s assurances at face value, despite growing public concerns. “The White House and the people around Joe Biden were absolutely adamant that suggesting anything—asking the question about whether he was in some physical, mental, or both decline—was offensive. ‘How could you? It’s age shaming,’” Cillizza said. “And I think that impacted me at some level.”
A Shift in Perspective
Since leaving CNN in 2022, Cillizza said he began viewing Biden’s condition differently, particularly after the president’s performance in a June 27 debate, which he described as a “bad day.” He added, “If the bad day was that bad, as bad as he performed on that debate stage, the fact that he had been president without a whole lot of questions being asked about his physical and mental decline… is a little bit concerning.”
He also discussed reports from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times that shed light on Biden’s limited engagement with his cabinet and Democratic lawmakers. Cillizza noted that these revelations suggest Biden’s inner circle worked to shield him from scrutiny, saying, “It’s now clear there was real deterioration… and significant decline in Joe Biden, and that it was being managed by the people around him.”
A Lesson for Journalists
Cillizza criticized the White House’s efforts to discourage such inquiries, labeling it a “shame campaign.” He explained, “They made you feel bad for asking whether Biden was up to the job. And they did a very good job—at least until they couldn’t hide it anymore—of keeping the world out and keeping him bunkered in.”
Reflecting on his own role, he admitted, “Journalists, and I put myself here, should have been pushier. I shouldn’t have let the shame campaign get to me because this wasn’t a partisan issue—it was a journalism thing. We owe it to the public to ask those questions.”
Backlash and Criticism
Cillizza’s mea culpa has drawn criticism from some commentators who believe his apology comes too late. Conservative podcast host Meghan McCain slammed his remarks, accusing him of hypocrisy. “When I say this is too little too late, I mean this is absolutely pathetically too little too late,” McCain wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “There was no bigger and more obsessive ‘McCain truther’ regarding my dad’s age when he ran in 2008… than Chris. He ignored Biden because he’s a hack.”
Looking Ahead
Cillizza concluded by stressing the need for accountability in future elections, including questions about the health and fitness of all candidates. He pointed out that Donald Trump, if re-elected, would also be the oldest person to assume the presidency. “Asking those questions isn’t partisan,” he reiterated. “It’s about ensuring the public knows their leaders are capable of serving.”
With Biden already under scrutiny for his age and stamina issues as he approaches the end of his term, Cillizza’s remarks underline the ongoing debate over how much transparency the public deserves regarding the health of their elected officials.
