Former first lady Jill Biden accused the press of applying a glaring double standard in its coverage of her husband, former President Joe Biden, compared to President Donald Trump, saying the media would have “excoriated” Biden for actions that go unpunished under the current administration.
During a Q&A session last month promoting her memoir, View from the East Wing, Biden told The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg that the disparity in coverage was unfair. “If Joe would have done any one of the things that are occurring now, I mean he would have been excoriated,” she said. “But, you know, it’s just there, it’s like there’s a double standard. And that I don’t think is fair or was fair.”
Regret Over Press Relations
Biden also acknowledged that the Biden administration could have done more to engage with reporters, suggesting they failed to humanize themselves to the press corps. “Maybe we could have done more to reach out to the press to be more open so that they understood us as real people and not sort of these figureheads,” she said. “That’s one thing I do regret, that maybe we could have formed closer relationships.”
The event, held at 92NY on June 2, drew renewed attention online after video of the exchange surfaced. It also featured an awkward moment when Joe Biden unexpectedly interrupted his wife’s book debut to promote his own upcoming publication. Walking to the edge of the stage without a microphone, he later grabbed one and told the crowd, “My book, which comes out in September, read it.” Jill Biden jokingly responded, “Do I have to remind him that this is my event?”
Context of the Criticism
The former first lady’s comments tap into a broader debate over media treatment of presidents. Critics have long argued that Trump faces softer scrutiny from certain outlets, while Biden was hammered over policy stumbles and gaffes. The accusation echoes complaints from Trump allies, who claim the press is biased against him. For more on media double standards in election coverage, see our analysis of Himes accusing Trump of a 'bald-faced lie' in an election security speech.
Jill Biden’s memoir recounts her four years as first lady and reflects on the closing chapter of her husband’s presidency and the 2024 election. The book’s release comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s post-election actions, including his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. For instance, Senator Coons noted that Trump's election fraud speech lacked any concrete proof, a point that underscores the double standard Jill Biden highlighted.
The event also underscored the personal dynamics of the Biden family, with Joe Biden’s unexpected book plug creating a lighthearted but telling moment. The former first lady’s critique of press coverage is likely to reignite debates about media bias and the role of journalism in shaping public perception of presidents.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, Jill Biden’s remarks serve as a reminder of the lingering tensions over how the media covers political figures. Her call for more open engagement with the press may resonate with those who feel the Biden administration was too insular, but it also raises questions about whether any president can truly escape the double standard she describes.
