Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) faced renewed scrutiny Sunday over his past comments defending President Joe Biden’s mental fitness. Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Schumer was pressed about earlier claims dismissing concerns over Biden’s cognitive decline. Instead of addressing the criticism, Schumer repeated his assertions, further fueling allegations of a coordinated effort to obscure Biden’s condition from the American public.

In February 2024, Schumer claimed Biden’s “mental acuity is great” during a press conference addressing the findings of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. Hur’s report detailed Biden’s memory struggles and significant mental decline, ultimately concluding that the president was too frail to stand trial. At the time, Schumer labeled concerns over Biden’s fitness as “right-wing propaganda.”

When confronted by Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, Schumer stood by his previous statements, insisting, “We didn’t mislead the American people.” However, video compilations aired during the program highlighted repeated Democratic claims dismissing Biden’s cognitive decline.

Schumer’s response mirrors earlier defenses by top Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris. In February 2024, Pelosi described Biden as “always on the ball,” while Harris dismissed concerns as “politically motivated.”

Critics argue the Democratic Party’s persistent denials about Biden’s fitness have alienated voters and eroded public trust. With President-elect Donald Trump poised to take office and reshape the political landscape, Democrats face an uphill battle in rebuilding their coalition. Schumer’s refusal to acknowledge the growing evidence of Biden’s struggles risks further undermining their credibility heading into critical midterm elections.