Written by Jonathan Matthews.

CNN insiders have disclosed that the White House provides pre-approved questions for interviews with President Joe Biden. This revelation came from radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders, who interviewed Biden on Wednesday. She confirmed to CNN’s Victor Blackwell that she received and approved questions from the White House prior to the interview.

“The questions were sent to me for approval. I approved of them,” Lawful-Sanders admitted. She received eight questions and chose four to ask Biden. Blackwell pointed out that this practice undermines efforts to showcase Biden’s vitality and competence. “If the White House is trying to prove the vim, vigor, and acuity of the president, I don’t know how they do that by sending questions first,” Blackwell remarked.

Another Host Shares Similar Experience

Earl Ingram, another radio host, shared a similar experience with ABC News. He revealed that the White House sent him five questions for his interview with Biden, of which he asked four. “I didn’t get a chance to ask him all the things I wanted to ask,” Ingram said, expressing frustration over the limited scope of his interview.

The Biden campaign responded to these reports, asserting, “We do not condition interviews on acceptance of these questions, and hosts are always free to ask the questions they think will best inform their listeners.” Despite this claim, the practice of sending pre-approved questions raises concerns about the transparency and spontaneity of these interviews.

Implications for Voter Confidence

The practice of providing pre-approved questions has sparked controversy and doubt among voters. It casts a shadow over Biden’s ability to handle unscripted interactions and respond to spontaneous questions. Critics argue that this approach fails to demonstrate the president’s cognitive and physical fitness for the role.

Biden has attempted to reassure voters about his capabilities, claiming that his daily activities serve as a “cognitive test.” However, the reliance on pre-approved questions suggests a lack of confidence in his ability to navigate unplanned scenarios. This strategy, intended to control the narrative, may instead undermine public trust in Biden’s leadership.

Our Take

The revelation that the White House sends pre-approved questions to interviewers is troubling. It suggests a lack of confidence in Biden’s ability to handle unscripted questions, raising serious concerns about his fitness for office. This practice undermines the authenticity of the interviews and prevents voters from seeing how Biden truly performs under pressure. Transparent and unscripted interactions are crucial for building public trust and demonstrating a leader’s competence. The Biden administration’s approach to controlling interviews does the opposite, fostering doubt and skepticism among the electorate.

A radio host who interviewed President Biden Wednesday tells me the White House sent her the questions before the interview. pic.twitter.com/9L6PRaUvgG

— Victor Blackwell CNN (@VictorBlackwell) July 6, 2024