Schumer lied to all of us.
In a recent exchange on Meet the Press, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) faced tough questions from NBC News’ Kristen Welker regarding President Biden’s mental acuity and ability to continue serving as president. Welker presented Schumer with a February 2024 clip where he firmly denied concerns over Biden’s mental sharpness, labeling them as “right-wing propaganda.” In the clip, Schumer claimed Biden’s mental capacity was as strong as ever, dismissing any claims of decline.
When pressed by Welker, Schumer asserted that Democrats had not misled the American people. He defended Biden, touting his administration’s achievements, from landmark legislation to judicial appointments, and praised the president as a patriotic leader. According to Schumer, Biden made the decision to step down voluntarily, believing it was in the best interest of both the Democratic Party and the nation.
Schumer’s defense, however, was not enough to convince all viewers. Welker directly asked if Schumer believed Biden could serve a second term. Schumer declined to speculate, instead pointing to Biden’s “stellar” record and suggesting he would go down in history as a great president. This response raised eyebrows, as it avoided directly addressing the question of whether Biden was fit for another four years.
The interview sparked further debate on Meet the Press, with MSNBC’s Symone Sanders Townsend arguing that Schumer should have more forcefully defended Biden’s mental capabilities. According to Sanders, while some might question Biden’s age, his mental acuity was not in doubt. She dismissed concerns over his ability to serve another term as “separate” from the question of whether he could finish out his current term.
Yet, others, like Politico’s Jonathan Martin, contended that Biden’s decision to step aside reflected poorly on the Democratic Party. He suggested that Biden’s exit showed a lack of conviction and that many Democrats were frustrated by his decision. Marc Short, a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence, criticized the attempt to convince the public that Biden’s performance was unaffected by age, noting that voters could clearly see otherwise during the 2020 debates.
The debate over Biden’s fitness for office is far from settled, with Republicans, in particular, questioning the president’s ability to lead effectively, especially as he faces the possibility of running for re-election at the age of 82. For many conservatives, Biden’s decision to bow out rather than push forward as a viable candidate is seen as an indication that even top Democrats are privately concerned about his mental and physical well-being. Whether Biden’s legacy will be defined by his accomplishments or by the questions surrounding his fitness to serve remains to be seen.
WATCH:
🚨 WOW! NBC just played a compilation of Chuck Schumer LYING about Joe Biden’s mental acuity
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 5, 2025
And Schumer DOUBLED DOWN.
These people will piss on you and tell you it’s raining.
Americans see right through this BS. pic.twitter.com/XTZrfqrDHP