CNN pundit regrets not addressing Biden's mental decline earlier: 'I should have been more forceful'

A CNN commentator has apologized for dismissing worries about President Biden's mental health.

Chris Cilizza, who was CNN's editor-at-large before leaving the network in 2022, admitted that he had little journalistic interest in investigating Biden's condition after two reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal revealed the president's diminished state.

"In his YouTube channel on Thursday, Cillizza admitted that as a reporter, he should have obtained more information about Joe Biden's mental and physical health and any signs of decline earlier."

During his time at CNN, Cillizza was frequently contacted by Republicans who inquired about why he hadn't addressed Biden's decline and how he would dismiss their concerns since he hadn't observed any evidence of the president's decline.

Not only did he confess to believing the White House's statement, but he also admitted to feeling remorse for "age shaming" Biden.

"According to Cillizza, the White House and those around Joe Biden were strongly opposed to any suggestion that he was experiencing a physical or mental decline, viewing it as age shaming. This impacted Cillizza, who occasionally asked the question but did not push on it. However, after leaving CNN and gaining more clarity about Biden's age, Cillizza began to write and speak more frequently about his concerns about Biden's ability to handle the presidency. This was particularly evident after the June 27 debate."

The ex-CNN commentator read from the Journal and Times reports about Biden's limited interactions with his cabinet and Democratic lawmakers, as well as the Times' assertion that it's difficult to envision Biden remaining in office for another four years.

Cillizza believes that he should have pushed harder on the Biden age issue because it's clear that those close to him knew that he had good days and bad days. The June 27 debate was a bad day, but if it was that bad, as bad as he performed on stage, it's concerning that he was president without much questioning about his physical and mental decline. Additionally, it's concerning that he continued to be president from June 27 until January 20, 2025, without any significant scrutiny. Cillizza wonders when people near him knew, what they knew, and why they didn't share this information.

"Journalists should have been pushier in asking questions about Joe Biden's ability to serve as president again, despite the shame campaign that made people feel bad for asking. It is now clear from both the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times piece that there was real deterioration and significant decline in Biden, and that it was being managed by the people around him. They were insulating him and keeping him bunkered in."

Donald Trump will be the oldest person ever to hold office if he serves for four years, and I will be mindful of that. Asking those questions is a journalism thing, and I should have pushed harder and not been as willing to accept the 'Nah, he's fine. Look at him when he's in public' campaign.

Some critics accused Cillizza of insincerity in his delayed apology, with conservative podcast host Meghan McCain specifically scrutinizing his past commentary on her late father, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during his 2008 presidential run.

"McCain responded on X, "When I say this is too little too late, I mean this is absolutely pathetically too little too late." He added, "There was no bigger and more obsessive 'McCain truther' regarding my dad’s age when he ran in 2008 (when he was 71 mind you) than Chris. He ignored Biden because he’s a hack.""