Jake Tapper recently found himself in a tough spot during an interview about his new book, "Original Sin," co-authored with Axios reporter Alex Thompson. The book discusses President Joe Biden’s cognitive and physical decline and raises questions about the media’s role in covering it. During a conversation with Sirius XM host Megyn Kelly, Tapper faced direct criticism for not reporting on Biden’s issues earlier, a point that has been emphasized by conservative media for some time.
In the interview, Kelly pointed out that many in conservative circles had been vocal about Biden’s struggles, while mainstream media, including Tapper’s own CNN, seemed to overlook these concerns. Tapper acknowledged that conservative journalists had been correct in their assessments and called for reflection among legacy media about their coverage.
Kelly highlighted specific instances, such as Biden’s noticeable struggles during public appearances, which were reported by conservative outlets but largely ignored by others. She emphasized that the media’s failure to address these issues contributed to a cover-up, suggesting that some journalists were complicit in downplaying Biden’s condition.
Tapper defended himself by saying that he had difficulty getting honest information from the Biden administration, but Kelly countered that he had access to numerous sources after the election. She questioned why he couldn’t have pursued these stories earlier, especially when other outlets, like The Wall Street Journal, reported on Biden’s decline months prior.
While Tapper admitted that he had the Wall Street Journal reporters on his show after Biden’s poor debate performance, he could not explain why he didn’t cover their initial findings when they broke. Instead, he had booked a Democrat who dismissed the report as biased.
The exchange highlighted a broader conversation about media responsibility and accountability in covering political figures. Kelly pointedly remarked that one of them had missed a significant story in presidential politics, implying that it was a missed opportunity for Tapper and others in mainstream media.
The discussion has sparked a renewed debate about how the media approaches political reporting and the importance of holding leaders accountable, regardless of their party affiliation. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the calls for introspection from figures like Tapper may signal a shift in how stories are covered in the future.