Imagine if you, your grandfather, your husband, or your beloved boss announced he had advanced-stage cancer, and then public figures and commentators reacted with suspicion about the timing of the announcement.
If that sounds distressing and unfair to you, then consider learning a lesson from former President Joe Biden and his handlers:
If you deceive the public consistently for years about your health and viciously attack and slander those who raise questions, then nobody will trust you anymore, and many people will assume the worst. What’s more, the people who defended you in the past will feel manipulated and misused, and so very few people will want to defend you ever again.
Biden’s personal office announced Sunday that he has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. In addition to an outpouring of sympathy, and some vile ill wishes as well, the internet reaction included lots of skepticism. When did Biden and his team know about this cancer, and why are they announcing it now?
For instance, did Biden keep this diagnosis secret during his run for reelection?
Also, is it a coincidence that Biden is announcing this just after audio was released of his long, incoherent testimony to special prosecutor Robert Hur, and just before the release of a book about the yearslong dishonest cover-up of his cognitive decline?
Is either of these theories true? Are they both true?
Only Biden and his inner circle could deny these claims, but neither he nor his inner circle has any credibility when it comes to his health.
They claimed for years that he was “sharp as a tack” and had more energy than his young staffers. Biden attacked Hur dishonestly for mentioning his mental decline.
Tons of reporters and Democrats stuck their necks out for Biden, and they all got proven liars and dupes.
OBAMA GIVES MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FOLLOWING NEWS OF CANCER DIAGNOSIS
So now, very few will be willing to shoot down the cynical interpretations of Biden’s announcement. Very few producers or editors will fall prey to the Bidenworld pleas to ignore debates about his health.
He might have had some benefit of the doubt had he not lied for years and slandered those who questioned his lies.