The discourse surrounding Joe Biden's cognitive abilities has been a contentious topic across all political spectrums. Americans perceived his recent press conference as an unmitigated disaster and even his defenders cannot continue to ignore the rumors of his decline.

In the 24 hours since the Special Council report detailed Biden’s mental unfitness to face charges in a classified document case, and after his contentious press conference, Biden’s approval has yet to take a significant hit. While this could still change, one implication could be that Democrats still intend to vote along party lines, even if they believe he is mentally unfit for office.

• In the last day, Biden’s approval remained strong at 48% and Trump saw a slight bump from 47% to 48%.

The top discussion topics regarding the president online in the last 24 hours include:

Reactions to the Special Council Report

Online discussion predictably reflected partisan divides in the aftermath of the Special Council’s report calling Biden a “Sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

• Republicans expressed disappointment and anger, suggesting that the decision not to charge him was a product of bias and not reflective of the truth.
• Many cited the very similar charges brought against Trump as evidence of a two-tier justice system.
• Republicans say the decision not to charge Biden was politically motivated and determining Biden unfit for charges but fit for office is an untenable contradiction.
• There are calls for the application of the 25th Amendment or impeachment, as well as suggestions that the same leniency wasn't extended to former President Trump.
• Many Democrats saw the refusal to charge as a vindication of Biden and a repudiation of what they perceive as baseless accusations.
• Some suggest that Biden's focus may have been elsewhere due to the complex and numerous issues he is dealing with, like the crisis in Ukraine and the attack by Hamas.
• They are focusing on the fact that Biden will not face charges, rather than the salience of the reasons given by the DOJ.
• Despite most Democrats avoiding the issue prior to the report, there is now some expressed concern it gives credence to doubts about Biden's cognitive abilities.
• Some Democrats acknowledge concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities, but they primarily view these as character attacks, expressing support for Biden and Harris.
• A few have admitted the special counsel's assessment of Biden's cognitive abilities is concerning, questioning if someone unfit for trial should continue as POTUS.

Conversations Following the President’s Confused Press Conference

Many people across all political affiliations commented on Biden’s confusion about Gaza, the Mexico border, and the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. However, explanations for his confusion differed depending on political affiliation.

• Republicans pointed out that Biden made these egregious errors directly after defending his fitness and denying any memory problems, using it as evidence of his decline.
• They suggest the press conference confirmed the special counsel's report about Biden’s poor memory and deteriorating cognition.
• Democrats continue to dismiss these concerns, pointing out that occasional verbal gaffes are common among all politicians, regardless of age or cognitive fitness.
• Many Democrats also cited the complex nature of the issues he was addressing, claiming mistakes are not indicative of dementia or other cognitive deteriorations.
• Some Democrats compared Biden to former President Trump, asserting that Biden's actions were not as damaging or obstructive as Trump's.

It is clear that bias and party loyalty is shaping public perceptions about Biden’s mistakes which, everyone now admits, are noticeable. This highlights the deep-seated divisions within the current political landscape.