The sign on President Harry Truman’s desk said it best: “The buck stops here.” That Democratic veteran of World War I knew what leadership required.

The leadership mantra adopted by President Joe Biden and the White House since the president’s disastrous debate performance last week has been less auspicious.

Rather than take responsibility for his failure, Biden has sought to shift responsibility onto anyone and anything else that might stick. The White House first tried to blame a head cold the president allegedly was suffering from. Then the first family blamed advisers, as if those advisers had somehow told Biden to become visibly confused, to stare mouth agape into space, and to repeatedly mumble his words. Now the White House says the cause of Biden’s mental implosion is a combination of his jet lag, following a trip to Europe followed by a West Coast visit, and that old cold.

Answering media questions at the White House on Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claimed that this cold-jet lag combination excuse “is not an excuse” but simply “an explanation.” If you’re unable to see the distinction between these two descriptions, you’re not alone.

But the problem here is that the excuses just don’t add up. Jean-Pierre says that the president’s trans-Atlantic followed by coast-to-coast travel would take “a toll on anyone.” That’s probably true. But the press secretary also said on Thursday that Biden is “sharp as ever.” This matters because Biden was back in the United States for more than 10 days between the conclusion of his Europe visit and the debate. And because Air Force One is equipped with a residential cabin that includes a bed and privacy from others on board. And because Biden spent a week at his beach house on a light schedule of debate preparation just before the debate.

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All of this stretches beyond breaking point the claim that Biden is as “sharp as ever” but was simply worn down by a cold, jet lag, and stupid advisers. The more realistic explanation is that Biden is frail and senile and growing ever more so apace. Post-debate polling would appear to suggest that most people share this perception and fear Biden cannot serve another four years in the Oval Office.

But by inventing an array of flimsy excuses to defray that legitimate public concern, Biden and his team only appear disingenuous and only make their situation worse. Were Biden to say, “I’m old, I messed up, I need a lighter schedule, but I can still do the job,” he might win back some confidence. But as with his competitor for the Oval Office, humility is not something that comes easy with this president.