Two columnists from the New York Times face criticism for their views on the Trump-Biden debate after former First Lady Jill Biden revealed concerns about her husband’s health during the event. Her comments have sparked renewed interest in their assessments.
During the June 2024 debate, Joe Biden’s performance led to significant discussion. Jill Biden recently shared in an interview with CBS News her alarm, thinking Joe was “having a stroke.” Comments from her forthcoming book suggest she suspected he might have been drugged.
Jamelle Bouie and Lydia Polgreen of the New York Times offered their take on the debate. Bouie remarked at the time, “Well, we had a raspy and stumbling President Biden and a deranged and incoherent Donald Trump, who spent two hours unleashing a stream of lies. Is there a winner here? Nah.” Polgreen added, “No one won this debate, but there is no question who lost: anyone who plans to cast a ballot for president in November. It was a debacle for Biden. He was barely audible at times. He flubbed answers on his strongest issues, from abortion to democracy. Trump just lied, lied and lied, and no one — certainly not the moderators and, worse, not even Biden — rebutted him in the smallest way. Trump blustered and glowered. He attacked Biden viciously and looked like a bully. This is the choice Americans are facing. This was a disaster for America.”
Despite their comments suggesting a draw, ten other New York Times colleagues disagreed, declaring Trump the winner. This view contrasts with the revelation from Jill Biden, now leading to criticism of Bouie and Polgreen’s assessment. National Review senior writer Dan McLaughlin highlighted the Times’ scoring, sharing its image on social media, which gained widespread attention.
Others also weighed in with satirical remarks. The Atlantic’s Ashley Parker joked about Biden’s ability to fight Trump to a draw despite his health, and CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski noted he often thinks about the chart. “Ruthless” podcast co-host Josh Holmes and Washington Post columnist Mac Thiessen added humor to the situation.
Fox News Digital reached out to Bouie and Polgreen for comment on whether they still stand by their previous assessment, though there has been no response yet.