Biden affair a wake-up call for divided America

Editor's note: Thomas O. Falk, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a London-based political analyst and commentator. He holds a Master of Arts in international relations from the University of Birmingham and specializes in U.S. affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In his July 24 address to the nation, announcing his decision to step down as the Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his commitment to transparency and honesty, saying, "I promised to always level with you, to tell you the truth."

Yet, his statement stands in stark contradiction to the reality. Biden claimed he was stepping aside to unite the party and to unite the nation with a new generation. He did not, however, address the pressing issue that he has been the primary reason for the divide in his party as his fitness to serve as commander-in-chief has been in focus since his abysmal debate performance.

The omission of this fact highlights a troubling trend within the Democratic Party – a pattern of denial and obfuscation that mirrors the deceptive tactics of their Republican counterparts.

The Republican Party, under former U.S. President Donald Trump, made deception a hallmark of its strategy. Trump's unfounded assertion that the 2020 election was rigged has been one of the most damaging lies to American democracy. Despite a complete lack of evidence and numerous court rulings dismissing the claim, Trump and his allies perpetuated this falsehood, culminating in the January 6 Capitol riots. This violent attempt to overturn the election results was a stark illustration of how deeply misinformation had seeped into the public mind.

On the other side, Democrats portray themselves as the voice of reason, defenders of democracy, and champions of truth. They criticize the Republicans' disdain for facts and manipulation of the truth. However, their persistent refusal to acknowledge Biden's visible decline shows that they are not above similar tactics.

The public witnessed Biden's struggles over these past years, but especially during the debate, where his lapses in memory and moments of confusion were apparent. Yet, the White House and the Democratic leadership maintained a narrative of unwavering confidence in his capabilities, dismissing any concerns as baseless or politically motivated attacks. Essentially the public were told that what we are seeing isn't what's happening – gaslighting at its finest.

This behavior has serious repercussions in a two-party system where public distrust is already alarmingly high. A Gallup poll from 2024 revealed that only 28 percent of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right most of the time, a figure that emphasizes the widespread cynicism and disillusionment in voters. Such distrust is not without consequences; it breeds apathy, disengagement, and, in some cases, hostility towards political institutions.

The Biden episode has exacerbated these sentiments. When a party that claims to stand for truth and transparency is caught in a web of denial and obfuscation, it betrays its supporters and provides ammunition to its detractors. This betrayal is likely to push more people away from the political process altogether. If the Democrats, the self-professed standard-bearers of honesty, are willing to deceive the public for political gain, then whom can the average citizen trust?

The implications of this erosion of trust are profound. The United States is already a nation divided, with political polarization reaching levels unseen in recent history. The 2020 election illustrated this starkly, with deeply entrenched partisan divides and widespread mistrust in the electoral process. Political violence, once a distant fear, has become a tangible reality as seen with the assassination attempt on Trump earlier this month.

In such a volatile environment, the last thing America needs is for its leaders to further undermine the public's faith in democratic institutions. The era of "spin" and strategic deception must give way to a new era of genuine accountability and forthrightness.

It is not enough to simply criticize the other side for their lies and manipulations; one must also ensure that one's own house is in order. But the Biden saga is a microcosm of the broader crisis of trust in American politics. Both parties have contributed to this crisis, and both bear responsibility for addressing it.

The public's disillusionment with politics can be reversed only through consistent and genuine efforts to rebuild trust. This requires more than just words; it demands actions that demonstrate a commitment to the principles of democracy and integrity. 

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