Washington, D.C. – The White House has recently found itself defending President Joe Biden’s mental state against allegations of confusion and cognitive decline. Accusations from right-wing critics claim that edited videos are fueling a misinformation campaign to question the President’s abilities.

At a weekend fundraiser, opponents of Mr. Biden alleged that a moment of confusion required former President Barack Obama’s intervention to guide him off stage. In response, the White House shared additional footage showing that the President was merely pausing to acknowledge applause, not exhibiting any signs of mental decline.

The scrutiny on the mental acuity of both President Biden, 81, and his 78-year-old challenger, Donald Trump, has intensified as the presidential race gains momentum. Despite this, polls consistently indicate that voters are more focused on Biden’s age and cognitive abilities.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the selectively edited videos as being done in bad faith, reflecting the desperation of Republicans. She emphasized that the relationship between President Biden and Obama goes beyond professional ties; they are close friends akin to family members.

Criticism against President Biden has also extended to coverage in conservative media outlets, such as the New York Post, which reported that he “appeared to freeze up” at an event. However, allies of the President argue that longer clips show him smiling and engaging with the audience, dismissing claims of mental lapses.

As the narrative around Biden’s mental fitness continues to evolve, his allies are countering by highlighting clips of Trump to suggest that the Republican candidate is the one struggling with mental clarity. The stage is set for the first televised debate between Biden and Trump later this month as the November presidential election looms.