Axios Reporter Critiques Biden Coverage, Media Role

At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Axios reporter Alex Thompson criticized both himself and the broader media for failing to adequately report on President Joe Biden's cognitive decline and acknowledged that the media contributed to declining public trust. Thompson stated that the Biden administration had actively sought to conceal the president's struggles, underscoring the need for journalists to be transparent about their own shortcomings to rebuild credibility. The event was marked by a more subdued tone and a focus on celebrating journalism amid ongoing tensions between the press and the Trump White House, which has taken steps to restrict media access. Some commentators accused mainstream media outlets of attempting to rewrite their role in downplaying concerns about Biden’s acuity until public pressure forced coverage. Thompson, who won the Aldo Beckman Award, also defended the importance of the White House Correspondents’ Association. He is co-authoring a forthcoming book with CNN’s Jake Tapper that will further examine Biden’s decline and efforts to conceal it.