The Media’s Betrayal of the American Public

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary: "The Media’s Betrayal of the American Public"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Morning Wire
• Host/Author: The Daily Wire
• Description: Trust in the media is at an all-time low. And there’s a reason—endless virtue signaling and manufactured outrage. Finally, there’s an alternative. Morning Wire is presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief, John Bickley, and co-host Georgia Howe. Get daily coverage of the latest developments in politics, culture, education, sports, and more. Wake up with Morning Wire and get the facts first on the news you need to know.
• Episode: The Media’s Betrayal of the American Public
• Release Date: May 24, 2025

---

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Morning Wire, John Bickley, Daily Wire's Executive Editor, engages in a profound discussion with columnist and author Bhatia Ungar Sargon. The focus is on the alleged complicity of legacy media in concealing critical information about President Joe Biden's mental and physical decline during his tenure. The conversation delves deep into media bias, the protection of political elites, and the erosion of journalistic credibility.

---

Legacy Media’s Complicity in Biden’s Decline

Timestamp [00:02] – [01:21]

The episode opens with Bhatia Ungar Sargon highlighting the severe implications of recent revelations regarding President Joe Biden's declining health. Sargon raises critical questions about the legacy media's awareness and concealment of the President's condition:

"The bombshell revelations about the mental and physical decline of Joe Biden during his presidency has implicated not just the Biden White House and family, but also the left leaning legacy media. How much did reporters know about the President's condition but choose to hide? And is the scandal the nail in the coffin for their credibility?"
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [00:02]

John Bickley introduces the episode's theme, emphasizing the collaboration between the Biden administration and legacy media to obscure pivotal information from the American public.

---

The Media as Protectors of Power

Timestamp [01:21] – [05:39]

Bhatia Ungar Sargon asserts that the media's primary role is to hold power accountable. However, he argues that the legacy media has failed in this duty by siding with the Democratic Party and protecting political elites:

"From my point of view, this is first and foremost a media scandal because it is in the nature of power to hold onto itself, to expand itself, to protect itself... The media is so important because its job is to look at the natural way that power operates and to hold power to account in the name of the American people who do not have the same access to the people in power."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [01:21]

Sargon contrasts the media’s differential treatment of political figures, noting that while they aggressively scrutinize Donald Trump, they protect Joe Biden. He attributes this bias to the media's alignment with elite interests:

"It's because the media is part of the elites. The majority of American journalists have degrees from fancy universities... Their economic interests are aligned with those of the Democratic Party..."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [04:50]

This alignment, according to Sargon, results in the media shielding Biden from scrutiny while relentlessly criticizing Trump, thereby undermining their credibility and fostering public distrust.

---

Jake Tapper’s "Original Sin" and Media Integrity

Timestamp [05:39] – [09:25]

The conversation shifts to CNN’s Jake Tapper and his book, Original Sin. John Bickley questions whether Tapper's work represents courageous journalism or serves as a tool for political maneuvering:

"Do you think he deserves that? Is this an act of courageous journalism? What are we witnessing here?"
— John Bickley [05:39]

Sargon responds by dismissing the positive reception of Tapper's book, arguing that it is an attempt by the Democratic Party to mitigate their own failings by scapegoating Biden:

"They are doing so because they believe that this book is their best chance at laundering the reputation of the party... it is a confession. The original sin is the sin of the Democratic Party, but really of the media who protected them instead of doing their jobs."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [06:12]

He further criticizes the Democratic Party’s policies, suggesting they favor elite interests at the expense of the working class:

"The Green New Deal aspects of the inflation reduction Act... an upward transfer of wealth from the working class who is struggling to the elites who are very wealthy and now control over 60% of the GDP."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [07:45]

Sargon posits that the media’s inability to self-correct stems from their elite backgrounds and disconnect from the average American:

"They think they're so much smarter than everybody else when all you're doing is protecting your own interests."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [09:10]

---

Cognitive Decline and Media Accountability

Timestamp [09:25] – [10:32]

John Bickley brings up the observable cognitive decline in President Biden’s public appearances, referencing Sargon's comments on media coverage:

"I think what we see on stage with Joe Biden, Jake, is very clearly a cognitive decline."
— John Bickley [09:25]

Sargon challenges Bickley's assertion, emphasizing that mocking Biden’s stutter undermines any legitimate concerns about his cognitive health:

"It makes me uncomfortable... you're trying to tell me that what I was suggesting was... you're trying to mock his stutter."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [09:40]

He reiterates that the media's failure lies in their alignment with the Democratic Party and their refusal to acknowledge or address Biden's decline:

"They are aligned with the Democratic Party and until that breaks, the media is worthy of nothing but our contempt in return."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [09:52]

---

The Future of Media Credibility

Timestamp [10:32] – [12:17]

John Bickley inquires about the potential for media redemption and the restoration of public trust:

"Do you see any hope for them turning around their credibility in the near future with the American people? Or do you think the media is really dead and buried at this point?"
— John Bickley [10:32]

Sargon shares an example of internal media conflict, referencing the resignation of a key figure from 60 Minutes. He argues that attempts to re-center journalism on fairness and integrity are thwarted by entrenched biases:

"He was stepping down because his higher ups were demanding that he be a little bit more fair to the president."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [11:05]

Sargon concludes that the media's inability to self-correct is rooted in their elite status and disdain for the average American, leaving no room for genuine journalistic integrity:

"They have the same profile as the elites and that powers within them, a deep contempt for the everyman who is actually the person they're supposed to be working for and towards."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [12:00]

---

Conclusion

John Bickley wraps up the discussion by highlighting the opportunities for alternative media outlets like Morning Wire to bridge the widening credibility gap left by legacy media’s failures. He thanks Bhatia Ungar Sargon for his insightful analysis, underscoring the podcast's commitment to delivering facts over manufactured narratives.

"The good news for us in the new media is that the door is wide open for us to reach more and more people. So I guess we appreciate it. To the legacy media."
— John Bickley [12:17]

Bhatia Ungar Sargon echoes this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the platform and reinforcing the importance of truthful journalism:

"Thank you so much for having me. God bless you and all of your listeners."
— Bhatia Ungar Sargon [12:26]

The episode concludes with a brief mention of upcoming content on Parenting and a nod to viewers to subscribe to Daily Wire Plus for more in-depth series.

---

Key Takeaways

1. Media Bias and Protection of Elites: The legacy media is criticized for aligning with the Democratic Party and protecting political elites, particularly Joe Biden, at the expense of honest journalism.

2. Contrast in Coverage: A stark contrast is drawn between the aggressive scrutiny of Donald Trump and the lenient protection of Joe Biden, exemplifying a partisan media landscape.

3. Impact of Elite Backgrounds: The media's elite backgrounds and economic interests are seen as barriers to unbiased reporting and accountability.

4. Erosion of Credibility: The podcast argues that these biases have led to a significant loss of trust in traditional media outlets.

5. Future of Media: There is a call to action for new media platforms to fill the credibility void and engage more authentically with the American public.

---

Notable Quotes

• Bhatia Ungar Sargon [01:21]:

  "The media is so important because its job is to look at the natural way that power operates and to hold power to account in the name of the American people who do not have the same access to the people in power."

• Bhatia Ungar Sargon [06:12]:

  "The original sin is the sin of the Democratic Party, but really of the media who protected them instead of doing their jobs."

• Bhatia Ungar Sargon [09:52]:

  "They are aligned with the Democratic Party and until that breaks, the media is worthy of nothing but our contempt in return."

• Bhatia Ungar Sargon [12:00]:

  "They have the same profile as the elites and that powers within them, a deep contempt for the everyman who is actually the person they're supposed to be working for and towards."

---

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions between John Bickley and Bhatia Ungar Sargon.

Transcript

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

The bombshell revelations about the mental and physical decline of Joe Biden during his presidency has implicated not just the Biden White House and family, but also the left leaning legacy media. How much did reporters know about the President's condition but choose to hide? And is the scandal the nail in the coffin for their credibility?

[John Bickley]

In this episode, we sit down with Bhatia Ungar Sargon to discuss the role the legacy media played in perpetrating the COVID up and what fueled that complicity. I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Saturday, May 24th, and this is a weekend edition of Morning Wire.

[Georgia Howe]

HR professionals shape the future of work at SHRM25, the premier HR event of the year, June 29th to July 2nd in San Diego. Don't miss a special performance by Josh Groban, appearances by Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey from the Office Ladies podcast, and a special appearance by Brad Rencher, CEO of Bamboohr, plus other inspiring mainstage speakers. With over 375 sessions and the largest HR expo, Sherm25 is your chance to connect, learn and lead. Register [e-mail] iheart before it sells out.

[John Bickley]

Joining us to discuss the legacy media's role in the Biden mental decline cover up is Bhatia Ungar Sargon who once guest hosted for us. Hey Bhatia, thanks so much for coming on.

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

Thank you so much for having me. It's always an honor to be here with you.

[John Bickley]

So look, we just witnessed something pretty remarkable. One of the biggest scandals in American history, the biggest presidential scandal I think we've ever seen. We wanted to talk to you about the media's role in all of this and how much they played a part in keeping information that was so key for the American people to know away from the American people. Is there any way that the legacy media can claim that they simply didn't know that they were doing their jobs and that this was all really the Biden administration's fault? Or is this the media's fault as well?

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

From my point of view, this is first and foremost a media scandal because it is in the nature of power to hold onto itself, to expand itself, to protect itself. It's not surprising at all that Joe Biden's inner coterie, his family, his cabinet, were protecting him from the revelations that would have ended his presidency. If everything was working well, that he was declining mentally, that should make a lot of sense to all of us. That is what power does. It expands itself and it protects itself. That is why the Fourth Estate. The media is so important because its job is to look at the natural way that power operates and to hold power to account in the name of the American people who do not have the same access to the people in power. And here is the thing that is so galling about the media's defense of Joe Biden. It's that when it comes to Donald Trump, they are very good at holding power to account. In fact, they are too good at it. They overstep, they over criticize, they won't say a single positive thing about him. And so they are deeply inaccurate in the portrayal they give the American people of Donald Trump. Which is of course why they've lost so much credibility. It's because they cast themselves as the resistance, but only in one direction. The huge scandal here is not just that the media covered for Joe Biden a person in power. It's not just that they made themselves the handmaidens of power rather than having an adversarial relationship with power. It's that the media, by and large was revealed to have the same interests as one political party, the Democratic Party. And the reason for that is not just because the media is by and large liberal and left leaning. It's because the media is part of the elites. The majority of American journalists have degrees from fancy universities. They're in the top 10%. They live in the same neighborhoods as the politicians and the millionaires that they're supposed to be covering fairly. Their children go to the same schools as the rich people in this country have the most power. And so their economic interests are aligned with those of the Democratic Party, which now caters to the wealthy. So that's why Joe Biden's decline was very much in their interest to, to, to hide. Because Donald Trump now represents the working class and it is his policies that represent a threat to the hegemony of the elites, both from a cultural point of view, a political point of view, but most and economic point of view. That's the story here. And now that Joe Biden has no power anymore and can't hurt them, now that he is a cancer ridden, old senile man, they are lining up to kick him, acting like somehow they deserve credit for speaking truth to power now that he no longer has any more power. And to me, that is the worst part about this, the godlessness here of humiliating the person that they protected because now he's powerless to defend himself against them. And that also is a very important piece of this story.

[John Bickley]

Yeah, I wanted to ask you specifically about that element. CNN'S Jake Tapper. He's co written this bombshell book, Original Sin. It's revealing a lot of this information that at least the top levels we in conservative media were reporting all along. But we have, to be fair, learned some new things from this book. Tapper said, for example, that Democrats were strangely willing to talk to him right after the election when it didn't matter anymore. He's getting a lot of plaudits for his bombshell book. Do you think he deserves that? Is this an act of courageous journalism? What are we witnessing here?

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

I honestly have not seen him getting a lot of plaudits. I have seen wall to wall contempt. I've seen a lot of that meme of the guy in the hot dog suit, you know, pointing to the hot dog car that crashed into the store and saying, we're all looking for the guy who did this. Right. The people lining up to now humiliate President Biden in these interviews are not doing so because they think that this book is going to be hard on the Democrats. They're doing so because they believe that this book is their best chance at laundering the reputation of the party. It is a performance art of accountability. Like so much else in the Democratic Party right now, they are hoping that voters will look at this and say, oh, look, they're actually trying to do a mea culpa, when what they're actually trying to do is scapegoat Joe Biden for their own crimes. But both the crimes of the COVID up and the criminal agenda that they enacted, whether it was opening the border, a huge scandal in which 12 million illegal immigrants invaded the country, or whether it was the illegal student loan forgiveness, or, you know, the Green New Deal aspects of the inflation reduction Act. Right. All of these things were giveaways to rich leftist elites in real economic terms, an upward transfer of wealth from the working class who is struggling to the elites who are very wealthy and now control over 60% of the GDP. Donald Trump represents the opposite of that. He represents that spigot being turned in the opposite direction. That's what tariffs and controlling the border are all about. It is a free market redistribution of wealth to the hardest working Americans from the elites, which is why they were so desperate to stop him and so desperate to protect Joe Biden at all costs. So to me, this book is a confession. The original sin is the sin of the Democratic Party, but really of the media who protected them instead of doing their jobs. And there's one question they need to answer for us to ever take them seriously. Again, and they can't and they haven't. And that question is what? What are you going to do differently going forward to stop what happened here, which was a scandal utterly fueled by contempt for the working class, contempt for conservatives, contempt for right wing media, all of whom knew this was happening, could see it with their own eyes and who were silenced by the liberal legacy media. What are you going to change in your character to stop letting yourself think you are so much smarter than everybody else when all you're doing is protecting your own interests? What are you going to do to prevent that scene in which Jake Tapper mocks Laura Trump, humiliates her, chastises her for pointing out the truth that he was unwilling to admit at that time?

[John Bickley]

I think what we see on stage with Joe Biden, Jake, is very clearly a cognitive decline.

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

That's what I'm referring to. It makes me uncomfortable.

[John Bickley]

You are. No, it's so amazing. It's so amazing to me that.

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

Try and figure out an answer.

[John Bickley]

A cognitive decline.

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

You're trying to tell me that what I was suggesting was.

[John Bickley]

I think you were mocking his stutter. Yeah, I think you were mocking his stutter. And I think you have absolutely no standing to diagnose somebody's cognitive decline.

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

It's really the question that they refuse to answer, which is why did you get this wrong when the rest of the American people knew what was happening? Why did you get it wrong? And that is the question they don't have an answer to because the answer is, very simply, they are aligned with the Democratic Party and until that breaks, the media is worthy of nothing but our contempt in return.

[John Bickley]

As you said, we haven't seen a mea culpa admission to the actual original sin of the media at this point. Do you see any hope for them turning around their credibility in the near future with the American people? Or do you think the media is really dead and buried at this point?

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

I'll give you an example which is my best way of answering this, which is when there was a. Was it the director or the Chief Producer of 60 Minutes recently stepped down and I saw that headline and he said he felt that there was, you know, he was not being able to do his job. And before I read the article, I thought to myself, oh, surely he is trying to sort of come back to the center to give the President a fair shake, which of course doesn't mean protecting him from criticism, but admitting when he does good things, having a respect for the people who voted for him. You know, surely he's trying to sort of drag his program back to an honest representation of journalism. And there's all this pushback from within. Like, no, you can't do that. We only cater to the left. And I thought, oh, interesting. You know, there's the tide is turning. And then I clicked on the article. No, it was the exact opposite. He was stepping down because his higher ups were demanding that he be a little bit more fair to the president. And this was of course unacceptable and unbearable to him. And the fact that this was covered as an act of bravery rather than an act of the very problem with our journalism, which is that our journalists think they're so much smarter than everybody and they have an utter contempt and hatred of the American people, the American normie, the average working class American. That tells you everything you need to know about the media right now. They're incapable of self correction because they have the same profile as the elites and that powers within them, a deep contempt for the everyman who is actually the person they're supposed to be working for and towards.

[John Bickley]

Well, the good news for us in the new media is that the door is wide open for us to reach more and more people. So I guess we appreciate it. To the legacy media. Bhatia, thank you so much for joining us.

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

Thank you so much for having me. God bless you and all of your listeners.

[John Bickley]

That was columnist Bhatia Ungar Sargon, author of Bad News and Second Class. And this has been a weekend edition of Morning wire. This is Dr. Jordan Bean Peterson. Watch Parenting, my new Daily Wire plus series, May 25th.

[Bhatia Ungar Sargon]

We're dealing with misbehaviors with our son.

[John Bickley]

Our 13 year old throws tantrums. Her son turned to some substance abuse. Go to dailywireplus.com today.