An explosive new poll is casting a harsh spotlight on top media figures and their coverage of former President Joe Biden’s mental health.
According to Breitbart, a Rasmussen survey found that 63 percent of likely voters believe “major media journalists were aware of Joe Biden’s declining mental condition, but covered it up.” The poll, conducted from May 19 to 21, surveyed 1,012 likely voters about their perceptions of both the media and Biden’s inner circle.
The poll’s results come at a tense moment in American politics under President Donald Trump, with debates over press credibility intensifying. The findings suggest a broad skepticism toward mainstream media’s handling of Biden’s presidency and highlight divisions not just among political parties but also within demographic groups.
A significant majority—63 percent—of respondents told Rasmussen they believe prominent journalists, including CNN anchor Jake Tapper, actively concealed information about Biden’s alleged cognitive decline. Only 27 percent called such a cover-up “unlikely,” suggesting widespread distrust in mainstream newsrooms. Breitbart’s coverage emphasized that this skepticism is not limited to traditional Republican bases.
The breakdown is striking: 57 percent of Black voters and 66 percent of Hispanic voters polled agreed with the claim that media knowingly hid information on Biden’s health. Even among Democrats, 43 percent said they thought major media outlets participated in a cover-up. Such cross-demographic agreement is rare, especially in today’s polarized environment.
Media critics argue that the press had a duty to thoroughly investigate and report on Biden’s fitness for office. They point to persistent rumors, viral video clips, and speculation about Biden’s memory and acuity as evidence that legitimate questions went unasked or underreported by establishment journalists.
The issue of a media cover-up was not the only area of concern for voters. When asked about the seriousness of claims that Biden’s own staffers were aware of his decline and actively worked to hide it, 72 percent of respondents said this was a serious matter. Just 23 percent downplayed its significance.
Observers note that the gap between public trust and media self-assurance continues to widen. Breitbart’s John Nolte wrote that “the corporate media damaged Democrats a whole lot more than Republicans with this gaslighting campaign,” arguing that had the press been more forthcoming, Democrats would have had time to prepare a new candidate for the 2024 presidential race.
Nolte further asserted that the situation has created difficulties for potential 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls, such as Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, and Gavin Newsom, who had publicly defended Biden’s capabilities. Navigating the fallout from these allegations could become a major challenge for their political futures.
Beyond the Biden controversy, Breitbart’s coverage listed a series of what it called “media hoaxes”—stories or narratives promoted by major outlets that critics allege were exaggerated, misleading, or outright false. Examples cited included the “Russia Collusion Hoax,” “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” and the “Covington KKKids Hoax.”
Nolte accused mainstream outlets of repeatedly “gaslighting” the public, sometimes in service of political agendas. He wrote, “Look at how the media have shamelessly whored out their credibility, and to what end?” He went on to suggest that the next Gallup poll on media trust would be “interesting,” given the mounting skepticism.
The poll’s findings and the accompanying critical commentary underscore a broader crisis of confidence in American journalism. Supporters of legacy media insist that coverage of Biden was fair and based on available evidence, while critics accuse outlets of sacrificing objectivity for political expedience. The debate over what constitutes responsible journalism has rarely been more intense.
The revelation that 63 percent of likely voters believe major journalists concealed President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline is reverberating through both the media world and political circles. Critics argue that this perceived lack of transparency not only undermined trust in journalists but also may have affected the Democratic Party’s ability to prepare for future elections.
With the Rasmussen poll showing skepticism across demographic and partisan lines, the controversy over Biden’s health and the media’s responsibility is unlikely to fade soon. Claims about a cover-up by both journalists and Biden’s staffers are now fueling wider questions about accountability and transparency at the highest levels of American politics and media.
As the nation looks ahead, the issue of trust—both in elected officials and those tasked with holding them accountable—remains central. The poll’s results and the sharp reactions they have provoked suggest that debates over press integrity and political honesty will continue to shape public discourse in the months and years to come.
