In the grand circus that is American political discourse, there is an unscripted act that leaves many scratching their heads: the media coverage of Joe Biden. It’s a peculiar, almost surreal spectacle where the leader of the free world emerges from an ice cream parlor, cone in hand, and instead of facing the music regarding pressing scandals, he’s bombarded with questions about his favorite flavor. It’s enough to make anyone question the very fabric of our collective priorities. Imagine if those inquiries had the same fervor on, say, pressing national security issues instead of the all-important question of “Are sprinkles an acceptable topping?”
Now, juxtapose that with the treatment of his predecessor, Donald Trump. The media seemed to wield Trump’s name like a piñata, just waiting for a chance to swing for the fences. While they asked Biden about Rocky Road, Trump was busy dodging questions about alleged conspiracies like a Republican John McClane in a leftist Die Hard sequel. The stark contrast between how these two leaders are treated is about as subtle as a sledgehammer being dropped on a glass table. You could almost hear the crickets chirping during Biden’s supposed scandals while they were busy conducting a full-on opera about Trump’s.
It raises a fundamental question: Is there a secret menu of softballs reserved exclusively for Democratic presidents? Considering the way Biden strolled out of that store, sans any apparent worry about the alleged scandals swirling around him, one could almost believe he has a lifetime supply of freeze pops stashed away, chilling not just his dessert but any accountability or scrutiny that might come his way. Meanwhile, Trump was left to deal with an armada of reporters eager to dissect the possible flavor combinations of chaos surrounding him rather than focusing on whether his policies were working.
One can’t help but wonder: What would it look like if the media applied the same intensity to all politicians? Instead of allowing Biden to have a moment of bliss over his two scoops, why not ask him about the implications of his administration’s actions? Would he still answer with the same glee, or would that ice cream cone turn into a melting pile of uncomfortable truth? Would he serve up a side of transparency or simply pass the sprinkles of accountability?
In the midst of all this, the only reasonable conclusion is that America is witnessing a delightful yet disconcerting double standard. It’s a reality show without context where the stakes are high, yet the questions remain delightfully low. And while it’s entertaining to watch the theatrics unfold—whether Biden is at the ice cream shop or before a podium—it’s crucial to keep our eyes open to the underlying truths. Because at the end of the day, both ice cream and political accountability can melt away into nothingness if we’re not careful. So, here’s hoping that the next time Biden exits an ice cream shop, the questions will reflect a little more gravitas and a little less whipped cream.
