Cordes Gives Analysis Following Shooting

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s dive into the aftermath coverage of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, particularly how CBS’s Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes handled it. Now, CBS’s reporting on this event has been criticized, but Cordes may have just set a new low.

Today, amidst the ongoing media chatter about “tone” and “rhetoric,” we witnessed something intriguing. Nancy Cordes seemed to capture the Biden campaign’s apparent relief as the focus shifted away from discussions about Biden’s cognitive abilities and viability as a candidate. Instead, the spotlight was on Trump and the dramatic events surrounding him.

CBS’s Maurice DuBois kicked things off, stating, “You don’t want to overstate it, but just 24 hours ago, Nancy, the question was: could he function? Was his mental acuity up to the job? And now we’re in a whole different phase right now. He’s moved on to Commander-in-Chief and so forth. What are they saying, if anything, behind the scenes?”

Cordes responded, noting that the focus has indeed shifted. She added, “You’re not going to find many campaign officials who are disappointed about that though, of course, they wish that they were not in this situation they are in now where you have at least one individual who has passed away, others still fighting for their lives, and a former president and a current candidate who is wounded himself.” She went on to explain that the Biden campaign had paused their ads and campaigning out of respect for the situation.

This response by Cordes sparked controversy. Many felt it had a “But how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?” vibe—acknowledging the tragedy but quickly moving to political implications. Some viewers questioned the value of such commentary, asking how it contributed to the “cooling down” of rhetoric that the media often preaches.

Maurice DuBois brought Cordes back into the conversation to discuss President Biden’s weekend schedule. Cordes revealed, “We just learned from the president himself that he plans to give an Oval Office address tonight. That is something that is very rare, usually reserved for the most serious situations in this country. Very notable that he’s made that choice to do so tonight.”

DuBois repeated his earlier point, emphasizing how the focus had shifted dramatically from questions about Biden’s cognitive state to his current role as Commander-in-Chief. Cordes reiterated, “No question that the focus has shifted. And, you know, you’re not going to find many campaign officials who are disappointed about that.”

Critics argue that such coverage highlights a bias in the media. Even during a national emergency, some journalists seem more concerned with political maneuvering than with the gravity of the situation. This kind of reporting, they say, contributes to the toxic climate we see today.