In a recent interview with President Biden, ABC News found themselves in a bit of a sticky situation after White House officials raised concerns about the accuracy of the transcript. The moment in question occurred towards the end of the interview, where Biden was asked how he would feel if he stayed in the presidential race and was defeated by former President Donald J. Trump.
Initially, ABC distributed a transcript quoting Biden as saying, “I’ll feel as long as I gave it my all and I did the goodest job as I know I can do, that’s what this is about.” However, after some scrutiny, the network updated the transcript online to read, “I’ll feel as long as I gave it my all and I did the good as job as I know I can do, that’s what this is about.”
Following this adjustment, Biden’s reelection campaign requested that media outlets, including The New York Times, update their coverage to reflect the revised transcript. This incident highlights the intense scrutiny that every word spoken by Biden faces, especially in unscripted moments like this interview.
With discussions surrounding Biden’s physical and mental health, every public statement he makes is under a microscope. The White House stenographers noticed a difference between their recordings and ABC’s transcript, prompting White House officials to raise concerns about the accuracy of the quote.
Despite the controversy surrounding the transcript, the interview itself was a success in terms of viewership, with 8.5 million viewers tuning in. This makes it ABC’s most-watched prime-time news program, excluding election nights and debates, since April 2018.
In the fast-paced world of politics, even the smallest details can spark debate and controversy. It’s important for news outlets to maintain accuracy and transparency in their reporting, especially when high-profile figures like President Biden are involved.
