Opinion: Biden's mind glitches again, asks where's Deborah? Mainstream media sidesteps reporting

President Joe Biden (image) "Where's Deborah" and "Where's Jackie"Photo byJoe Biden Facebook /Public Domain

[U.S Politics] President Biden's recent mix-up with Rep. Deborah Ross, mistakenly claiming to have taken a photo with her when she wasn't even present, has raised eyebrows. Yet, unlike other similar episodes, this one seems curiously absent from the headlines of major news outlets.

On January 18th, 2024, during a speech in North Carolina, Biden mistakenly claimed to have just seen Representative Deborah Ross. Biden said, "Where's Deborah? As he scanned the crowd searching for Ross. “I just had my picture taken with her, that's probably why she left," However, Ross was not in attendance: It turned out that Ross was in Washington DC, not at the event in North Carolina.

Biden corrected himself realizing his mistake, Biden said, "Oh, she couldn't be here, actually. That's not true. I got her mixed up."

This isn’t the first time Biden has mistakenly seen individuals who weren’t there. In September 2022 Biden asked about the whereabouts of the late Representative Jackie Walorski, who died in a car accident earlier that year. This gaffe was particularly concerning seeing as though after Walorski's death the White House issued a statement expressing condolences from Biden and his wife Jill saying they were shocked and saddened by her sudden accident.

Opinion: Biden's mind glitches again, asks where's Deborah? Mainstream media sidesteps the mix-up

This recent incident has garnered little news coverage from the mainstream media with only a few typically right-leaning outlets like The New York Post, Fox News, and the Washington Times reporting on it.

Google ScreenshotPhoto byGoogle

News outlets often frame stories through a particular lens, influenced by their editorial stance and target audience. Discussing Biden's gaffes inevitably touches the sensitive topic of his age and fitness for office.

Accusations of media bias are always present in politically charged environments. Some might argue that certain outlets deliberately downplay negative news about Biden, while others readily amplify any misstep.

Regardless of the reasons behind the muted coverage, the Ross incident raises important questions about the role of the media in holding power to account.

With the 2024 election approaching Biden's age and health has been an increasing topic of public discussion. Media silence on instances of Biden’s confusion does a disservice to the public's right to be informed.