New · U.S. Politics · Elections · 7 outlets (L 1 · C 1 · R 4 · 1 not rated)
Biden calls his 2024 debate performance 'not very consequential'
Joe Biden said in a new interview with People Magazine that his 2024 debate against Donald Trump was "not very consequential."[3, 6] "Look, I don't know anybody who hasn't made a mistake in a debate," Biden said, adding he did not view the appearance as a turning point in his reelection campaign.[6] The June 2024 debate, in which Biden repeatedly lost his train of thought, sparked concerns at the time about his age and ability to serve another term.[1, 2]
It led to widespread Democratic pressure to end his campaign, which Biden eventually did.[1] Biden is promoting his memoir, "Promise Me, America," though his book tour has been limited by his cancer.[7] Fox News reported that Biden drew sharp criticism over the comment, with critics calling it "totally delusional."[3]
Covered by The New York Times, The Hill, Fox News and 4 more
Read first Biden says his debate performance was ‘not very consequential’
Where accounts differ (1)
- FramingThe New York Times describes the debate as one in which Biden "repeatedly lost his train of thought" that "led to widespread Democratic pressure to end his campaign," while Biden and outlets quoting him frame it as a routine mistake, with Biden saying "I don't know anybody who hasn't made a mistake in a debate."[1, 6]
- Washington Examiner · Right · Nov 11, 1:45 p.m. ET Biden calls 2024 debate performance ‘not very consequential’
Former President Joe Biden is downplaying the significance of his 2024 debate performance against President Donald Trump, saying did not view the widely criticized appearance as a turning point in his reelection…
- The New York Times · Leans left · Nov 11, 3:14 p.m. ET Biden Calls His Disastrous 2024 Debate Performance ‘Not Very Consequential’
A debate against Donald Trump in which Mr. Biden, then the president, repeatedly lost his train of thought led to widespread Democratic pressure to end his campaign, which Mr. Biden eventually did.
- Washington Examiner · Right · Nov 11, 1:45 p.m. ET Biden calls 2024 debate performance ‘not very consequential’
How balanced is this coverage?
Of the 6 rated outlets that covered it, 1 is left of center, 1 is center and 4 are right of center (4 of them in the Right group). 1 more is not rated.
- Left: none.
- Leans left: The New York Times (−0.70).
- Center: The Hill (+0.10).
- Leans right: none.
- Right: Washington Examiner (+1.34), Fox News (+1.52), Twitchy (+1.58), Townhall (+2.01).
Not rated NewsNation. Not placed: they have no lean score.
Each dot is an outlet that covered it, placed by its audience-lean score (Eady et al. 2025), which measures who shares its links, not how accurate it is. The ticks under the line are all 113 rated outlets Tare reads.