MSNBC host Joe Scarborough vehemently defended President Biden's mental acuity on Wednesday, asserting that he observed no signs of cognitive decline during an extended meeting at the White House. Scarborough recounted spending several hours with the president, discussing foreign policy matters in detail. He acknowledged some physical slowing and occasional verbal stumbles but emphasized that Biden quickly corrected himself and displayed a depth of knowledge consistent with his long career.
Scarborough's defense comes in response to claims, like those made by Financial Times columnist Edward Luce, that Biden's mental decline is an "open secret" in Washington. Luce argued in a recent article that Biden's fitness for office was widely questioned. Scarborough challenged this assertion, stating his own experience differed significantly and suggesting that such narratives are more prevalent on social media than in reality. He also referenced colleagues Mike Barnicle and Mika Brzezinski, implying they share his assessment.
Scarborough and Brzezinski have consistently supported Biden, although Scarborough has previously expressed concerns about the president's fitness. He also notably praised Biden's intellectual capabilities in March 2024, describing him as "better than he's ever been." This recent defense, however, directly contradicts Luce's claims. Luce maintained his position, citing conversations with individuals familiar with Biden who attested to diminished energy, memory, and a curtailed schedule. He emphasized these observations were not based on speculation.
The discussion also touched upon Biden's belief that he could have won re-election. Luce considered this "highly contestable," arguing that Biden's 2020 victory over Trump and his overall positive performance as president might have fueled an unrealistic sense of confidence. He ultimately believes Biden had no real basis for such an assumption.
Scarborough questioned why those who observed Biden's alleged decline didn't speak out sooner. Both he and Luce referenced Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, who advised against Biden seeking re-election in 2023. Scarborough concluded by stating that he would have voiced concerns if he had witnessed any cognitive decline himself.
