Jake Tapper is under fire for his recent statements on the podcast “Pod Save America” regarding media coverage of Donald Trump’s health and age compared to Joe Biden’s. The CNN anchor claimed that he covers Trump’s missteps obsessively due to a supposed failure to scrutinize Biden’s decline adequately. However, this assertion has drawn criticism from various quarters, as many believe Tapper is attempting to rewrite his past involvement in the media’s handling of Biden’s health.
In the interview, Tapper acknowledged his shortcomings, saying, “We covered it all the time… maybe we didn’t ask as many questions as we should have at the time.” This admission rings hollow for critics who recall how Tapper and many in the media dismissed concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive abilities. Rather than addressing these points, they opted to label anyone raising legitimate questions as conspiracy theorists, effectively downplaying significant issues.
During discussions about Trump, Tapper noted, “It is a legitimate question for any president of any age, but particularly anybody who is like in the range of being an octogenarian.” This focus on age is indeed noteworthy; yet, it begs the question of why similar considerations weren’t afforded to Biden when he was in office. Critics are quick to point out that, had Tapper genuinely intended to commit to thorough and fair reporting, he would have done so with the current and former presidents equally.
Tweets from prominent commentators further underscore the skepticism surrounding Tapper’s statements. One user humorously quipped, “No one is buying Jake’s lies,” suggesting a general disbelief in the sincerity of his claims. Another Twitter user remarked, “He doesn’t even believe his own lies,” indicating a perceived lack of genuine conviction behind Tapper’s rhetoric.
There is a growing consensus that Tapper’s remarks are not only deceptive but calculated to create an illusion of objectivity. For many, this suggests that he has no intention of providing fair coverage to Trump, regardless of any perceived missteps. If anything, his pattern of selective coverage seems to continue, with critics accusing him of glaring omissions when it comes to reporting unflattering stories about Democrats. One commentator noted Tapper’s apparent failure to cover significant news that casts a negative light on Democratic leaders, indicating a consistent bias.
As this controversy unfolds, it becomes clear that Tapper’s attempts to reposition himself as a vigilant reporter who now covers Trump more rigorously will likely be met with skepticism. Critics question whether this newfound focus on age and health is anything more than a strategic maneuver to counteract past oversights. Overall, Tapper’s narrative appears increasingly constructed, leaving many to wonder who he thinks he is fooling.
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