The New York Times has been fixated on attacking Democratic candidates and continuously running those attacks. In the case of Joe Biden, the Times has latched onto his age as a line of attack. Over the weekend, the paper filled its editorial page with pieces attacking Biden’s age and memory, even going as far as comparing him to an aging parent with dementia. The Times contrasts Biden’s supposed frailty with Donald Trump, who they claim “does not appear to be suffering the effects of time.” The article repeatedly emphasizes Trump’s strength, physicality, and stamina, while using words like “tentative,” “frail,” and “stiff” to describe Biden.
The New York Times cites a poll that supposedly shows 70% of Americans believing Biden is too old for his office, while fewer than 50% said the same of Trump. However, it is unclear where the idea that Biden is too old originated from, as the Times has been perpetuating this narrative for decades. Biden has always been portrayed as the gaffe-prone candidate, with the Times highlighting his every slip-up. This narrative conveniently ignores Biden’s well-documented effort to overcome a severe stutter.
The Times has been copy-pasting their attacks on Biden, repeatedly emphasizing his age and memory issues. They have even assigned a neuroscientist to write an op-ed defending Biden’s memory and age, but the bland language of this piece pales in comparison to the explicitly negative editorial columns that called Biden “decrepit” and suggested he should step aside. The Times has created a cycle where they provide stories that emphasize Biden’s supposed decline, then circulate the news that people believe it, and then use those poll results as an excuse to continue attacking Biden.
In contrast, the Times downplays concerns about Trump’s age, citing his hair dye and makeup as evidence that he is not aging. They have a poll showing that people are not concerned about Trump’s age and even provide an article about how people should not worry about it. The Times seems to be giving Trump a pass on the age issue while relentlessly attacking Biden.
Overall, the New York Times’ fixation on Biden’s age is a clear example of their biased coverage. They have been perpetuating this narrative for decades and are using it as a way to continue attacking Biden. Meanwhile, they downplay concerns about Trump’s age and give him a pass. This biased coverage undermines the Times’ credibility and raises questions about their journalistic integrity.
