On Tuesday night, The Wall Street Journal published an investigation into President Joe Biden’s mental acuity relying heavily on the accounts of anonymous Republicans as well as former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). The Journal unsurprisingly concluded that Biden “shows signs of slipping,” but several Democratic lawmakers spoke out about how they went on the record to contest that conclusion — only to be cut out of the finished article.
Additionally, Media Matters’ Matt Gertz explored more reasons why the article is “comically weak.”
Here are statements from Democrats in the House and Senate noting that their accounts praising Biden were not quoted in the article:
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Many of us spent time with @WSJ to share on the record our first-hand experiences with @POTUS, where we see his wisdom, experience, strength and strategic thinking. Instead, the Journal ignored testimony by Democrats, focused on attacks by Republicans and printed a hit piece.” [Twitter/X, 6/5/24]
- Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI): “I was there & went on record to @WSJ w/ opposite recollection that's not quoted in the story.” Reed added, “Bottom line: Anonymous Republican sources didn't raise these issues in real time, day after, or week after. Trying to do so now reeks of political hit job.” [Twitter/X, 6/5/24]
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA): “I made clear to the @WSJ regarding the January meeting on Ukraine that the President was absolutely engaged & ran that meeting in a way that brought everyone together. I'm not quoted—I wonder why.” Murray added, “Surprise, surprise—everyone attacking @POTUS is a Republican with an agenda.” [Twitter/X, 6/5/24]
- Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE): “As I told the @WSJ, I have met for hours with @POTUS about complex foreign policy issues. He is sharp, engaged, and leads the conversation, whether it's on Ukraine, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, or immigration. It’s a shame this interview wasn't included in the piece.” [Twitter/X, 6/5/24]
- Coons: “Typical Republican election year shenanigans when they have no accomplishments of their own to stand on. I've been in these rooms with President Biden and I know first hand that he is leading us forward, not back.” [Twitter/X, 6/5/24]
- Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “This article's a joke. They purposefully left out what I told them: In my meetings with President Biden, I have found him to be in command and impressive in wielding influence to make progress on key bipartisan priorities.” Schumer added, “‘But you don’t have to trust me, just look at his legislative results—which is why the GOP are trying so hard to discredit him.’” [Twitter/X, 6/5/24]