Biden 'sharp and focused' but also 'confused and forgetful', AP reports in ridiculed headline

US President Joe Biden, center, following an operational briefing at the DC Emergency Operations Center in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

An Associated Press article from Wednesday set off X users for what they considered to be an effort to protect President Biden.

The article titled "Biden at 81: Often sharp and focused but sometimes confused and forgetful" focused on comments from reportedly two dozen people within the president’s social circle who described a conflicting private and public image.

"He is often sharp and focused. But he also has moments, particularly later in the evening, when his thoughts seem jumbled and he trails off mid-sentence or seems confused. Sometimes he doesn’t grasp the finer points of policy details. He occasionally forgets people’s names, stares blankly and moves slowly around the room," AP reported.

It continued, "But sometimes, Biden speaks so softly that it is difficult to make out his words even with a microphone. He’ll stop mid-sentence and trail off during speeches. At other times he runs the room, leading the audience, joking and shaking hands with thrilled supporters, in clear command of the moment. His gait is often stiff, but sometimes he jogs."

The story and its headline spurred intense mockery along with comparisons to CNN’s infamous "fiery but mostly peaceful protest" graphic outside a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Wisconsin.

"’Senile but mostly sharp’ is the new ‘fiery but mostly peaceful,’" Libs of TikTok founder Chaya Raichik remarked.

"’I don't understand why people are blaming the media,’" RedState senior editor Joe Cunningham wrote sarcastically.

"The AP is really doing this…" Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lamented.