Whoever controls the narrative can control hearts and minds. The Left knows this and works daily to keep the media in check.
Now CNN’s Jake Tapper exposed a Democrat plot to target journalists.
Jake Tapper Discusses Biden’s Outreach to Joe Scarborough
On Wednesday, CNN’s Jake Tapper appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and revealed that former President Joe Biden made a deliberate effort to persuade host Joe Scarborough to support his re-election campaign. The conversation highlighted Biden’s strategic engagement with influential media figures during his 2024 campaign.
Biden’s Engagement with “Morning Joe”
During a segment on “Morning Joe,” Jake Tapper described former President Joe Biden as “a frequent viewer of the show.” He referenced a 2023 Washington Post column by David Ignatius, which argued that Biden should not seek re-election. Tapper noted, “And then [Ignatius] came on this show and you guys had a robust conversation about this.” At the time, Scarborough acknowledged concerns about Biden’s candidacy but suggested there were no viable alternatives. Tapper explained that Biden, aware of this discussion, told staffers he wanted to convince Scarborough otherwise, treating him as a key constituency, akin to “farmers in Iowa” or “the Kiwanis Clubs in New Hampshire.”
Context from New Book
Tapper, joined by Axios reporter Alex Thompson, was on the show to promote their book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.
The book examines Biden’s decision to run for re-election and allegations of concealing his physical and mental decline while in office. Tapper emphasized that Biden’s team orchestrated interactions to showcase the former president at his best, stating, “It was a campaign though, for Joe, it was a campaign. The Biden people wanted to make sure that Joe [Scarborough] saw Biden at his best.”
When Tapper asked Scarborough about the timing of his meetings with Biden, Scarborough revealed they occurred during a lunch meeting. Tapper responded, “There you go. Middle of the day.” MSNBC’s Willie Geist suggested that Scarborough likely saw Biden when he was well-rested and prepared, implying that the timing was intentional to present Biden in a favorable light.
Scarborough’s Defense of Biden
Scarborough addressed a viral clip from a March 2024 “Morning Joe” broadcast where he called Biden “the best Biden ever.” In that clip, he stated, “I’ve said it for years now, he’s cogent. But I undersold it when I said he was cogent, he’s far beyond cogent. In fact, I think he’s better than he’s ever been, intellectually, analytically, because he’s been around for 50 years.”
He added, “Start your tape right now because I’m about to tell you the truth. And f-you if you can’t handle the truth. This version of Biden, intellectually, analytically, is the best Biden ever.” In a later discussion with Mark Halperin on “Next Up with Mark Halperin,” Scarborough stood by his comments, acknowledging Biden’s occasional stumbles but arguing they did not hinder his ability to address critical issues.
Scarborough told Halperin, “He stumbled and bumbled around, Mark. I mean, yeah, he certainly did. Donald Trump did, other politicians did, and it’s actually the same case as a lot of times when I’ve gone in and talked to Donald Trump.”
He emphasized that he would not overreact to isolated clips, stating, “Put into proper context, I’m just not going to freak out and melt down on one or two clips here and there.” Scarborough maintained that Biden’s occasional verbal missteps did not detract from his analytical capabilities on key matters.
Media Influence in Political Campaigns
Biden’s targeted outreach to Scarborough underscores the role of media figures in shaping public perception during political campaigns. By engaging directly with influential hosts, Biden’s team sought to counter narratives about his fitness for office.
The conversation on “Morning Joe” highlights ongoing debates about Biden’s re-election bid and how his team managed perceptions of his health and capability. The forthcoming book by Tapper and Thompson is likely to provide further insight into these efforts as the public evaluates Biden’s legacy.
