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MSNBC contributor Steve Schmidt joined Democrats in an effort to defend Joe Biden’s appearance last week in Normandy, where observers noted several incidents that they said suggested cognitive decline for Biden.

On social media, Schmidt touted the president’s on-stage remarks as “powerful” and “historic.” He also took the opportunity to belittle political opponent Donald Trump, whom Schmidt campaigned against as founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project in 2019. 

“Joe Biden’s D-Day speech was his finest moment as president of the United States on a public stage. He didn’t look old or tired,” Schmidt wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This is how President Biden must appear in public. He is the American commander in chief, running against a small and petty man who is unworthy of the greatness of America.”

Other Biden supporters also touted the president’s feeble performance in France. Tennessee Democrat Chris Jackson called Biden’s visit a “successful week of diplomatic engagements.”

“The United States is in great hands with President Biden and Dr. Biden representing us on the world stage,” Jackson posted on X.

In a series of tweets, White House Deputy Communications Director Herbie Ziskend called Biden’s D-Day speech “strong and forceful” and remarked that the president’s visit showcased “American leadership on the world stage.”

These comments stand in stark contrast to the wide perception of Biden’s acuity. Thousands of social media users expressed concerns over Biden’s confused and disoriented appearance throughout his visit to France.

The concern for Biden’s physical and mental fitness comes after a Wall Street Journal article in which several elected officials reported witnessing a decline in his cognitive state, noting that he seemed “tuned out,” lacking awareness and disengaged in private meetings.

The White House has billed speculation over Biden’s cognitive decline as attempts “to smear the president,” with Democrats scrambling to defend the party’s incumbent running for reelection. Recent polling, however, shows widespread concern over Biden’s mental sharpness. In a Times/Siena survey conducted earlier this year, 73 percent of registered voters agreed that “Joe Biden is just too old to be an effective president.” Of those voters, nearly two-thirds agreed that Biden is incapable of filling the role due to his age.

Biden is currently the oldest president in U.S. history. If elected for a second term, he will turn 86 while in office.

Monroe Harless is a summer intern at The Federalist. She is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and political science.