Quick Hit:

President Biden's systematic avoidance of media interviews has raised concerns among journalists and the public alike. With the fewest interviews given by any president in over 40 years, Biden's lack of media engagement has sparked speculation about his cognitive abilities and the transparency of his administration.

Key Details:

• President Biden has given fewer interviews than any president in over 40 years, leading to criticism from media outlets including The New York Times.
• Concerns have been raised about the precedent this sets for future presidents and the potential impact on democratic accountability.
• Despite these concerns, Biden's communications team has shifted focus towards social media influencers to disseminate the president's message.

Diving Deeper:

The New York Times, which endorsed Biden's presidency in 2020, has publicly criticized the president for his lack of engagement with the press. In a statement, the newspaper expressed concern that Biden is “systematically avoiding interviews,” "undermines an important norm" and sets a "dangerous precedent" for future presidents to evade scrutiny and accountability.

Former President Donald Trump has also taken a jab at Biden's reluctance to sit for interviews. In a recent Time Magazine interview, Trump questioned whether Biden would be capable of participating in such an interview, implying concerns about his cognitive abilities.

These concerns have been further fueled by a series of gaffes made by Biden during public appearances. In one instance, Biden accidentally displayed an official White House card with specific instructions for his actions during a meeting, leading to renewed questions about his mental state.

Despite these criticisms, Biden's communications team has adopted a different strategy, focusing on social media influencers to communicate the president's message. Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended this approach, arguing that the type of interviews Biden takes are more important than the quantity.

However, this shift in strategy has not quelled concerns about the lack of traditional media engagement. As the president continues to avoid interviews, questions about his cognitive abilities and the transparency of his administration persist.