A recent interview between political journalist Mark Halperin and former Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler has reignited discussion over media bias and whether major news outlets avoided directly addressing questions about Joe Biden’s cognitive health.
The conversation, part of Halperin’s Next Up series with prominent podcasters, focused heavily on Kessler’s 2022 fact check defending Biden after several videos showing unusual public behavior gained traction in conservative media.
The clips, widely circulated at the time, depicted Biden appearing distracted, confused, or disoriented during official events.
One of the most viral moments occurred when Biden appeared to wander away during a ceremony before engaging with members of a parachute demonstration team.
Critics pointed to the footage as further evidence of mental decline, but Kessler’s fact check concluded the Republican National Committee’s framing was misleading and asserted that Biden had, in fact, been speaking with the parachutists.
Halperin pressed Kessler on the impact of such reporting.
“When you write that, people say the Washington Post is saying that video is not reflective of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. That’s what people take from it,” Halperin told him.
Hellbound and Down 