Biden prevails against media’s unsuccessful revolt, prepares for their pivot

During my time as a desk officer in the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, I had a disdain for coup attempts. The constant ringing of my phone, the round-the-clock task forces, and the never-ending demand for reports due to sudden interest in countries from important individuals in Washington, DC, was exhausting.

The recent coup attempt on President Biden by the media, however, has been quite intriguing. It has been a more fascinating spectacle compared to those I experienced, drawing parallels between the president and certain African leaders who faced even more treacherous coup attempts than what the American media attempted.

Prior to the debate (BD), almost every Democrat and a majority in the media were confident in Biden’s abilities to handle the presidency.

However, as soon as the AD (after debate) era began, the tide turned. Media outlets and prominent figures, including Biden’s staunch supporter Joe Scarborough, quickly changed their tune.

Ironically, the same group that had been warning about the democracy-threatening nature of Donald Trump now called for Biden to step down despite his overwhelming support during the primary process, where he received 14 million votes, representing 87% of those cast (albeit in a system skewed in his favor).

For a brief moment, it seemed like the pressure was mounting, reminiscent of the Trump era. But like most coup attempts, the media-led rebellion eventually lost steam.

Although Biden’s poll numbers experienced a drop, he still maintains a strong base of support among seniors, women, and African Americans.

Despite the media turning on him, Democratic politicians and key constituencies remained loyal to Biden, ensuring his survival in the face of the attempted coup.

Also, Biden’s adeptness at playing the political game, reminiscent of certain African dictators, has allowed him to weather the storm. Leaders like Robert Mugabe, Idriss Deby, Teodoro Obiang, and Paul Biya have been able to retain power against various challenges, similar to how Biden has navigated through this crisis.

While his tactics may not include the same level of repression available to authoritarian leaders, Biden has managed to secure the support of crucial individuals and groups throughout his political career.

Quite like aging dictators abroad, US policymakers often grow comfortable with incumbents and opt to support them, deeming the alternatives less favorable. This is why many Democrats continue to stand by Biden, despite the mounting criticism.

It remains to be seen if prominent Democrats, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, comprehend the sentiments of independent voters towards other potential Democratic candidates. However, for now, Biden seems to be their safest bet.

The looming question is: if the coup attempt fails, how will the media revert to supporting Biden after their brief stint of criticism?

While it might seem like a challenging pivot, it’s likely that the same media personalities who once praised Biden will go back to promoting the Democratic Party’s interests while hoping that voters have short memories of their recent backlash against the president.

Adapted from City Journal.