Biden's Decline: A New Book Reveals the Scary Truth About the Former President's Health and Cognitive Capabilities

Strategic Insights -

As President Joe Biden's final two years in office came to a close, concerns about his declining mental and physical health grew among those closest to him. A new book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson, "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," details a startling portrait of a president struggling with forgetfulness, incoherence, and a dwindling ability to make decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Biden's top aides, including Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, and Bruce Reed, have been accused of protecting the president from negative information about his health, calling it a "theology that bordered on zealotry."
  • Democrats close to the president said they saw a noticeable change in Biden during private meetings in early 2024, which they found alarming but gave their former colleague the benefit of the doubt.
  • Biden's closest aides tried to move past his disastrous June debate with Donald Trump, but behind the scenes, Democrats urged the president's inner circle to get him out there in unscripted events to prove his acuity.
  • Former Senator Debbie Stabenow and then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed concerns about Biden's health to the First Lady, Jill Biden, but she remained silent.
  • White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and top pollsters secretly briefed Biden's senior staff on his dire reelection chances, but the president's Covid diagnosis and subsequent isolation prevented him from getting a direct briefing.
  • Biden's decision to exit the race was influenced by Schumer's warnings that he would "go down in American history as one of the darkest figures" if he continued to run.

Statistics:

  • Biden's disastrous June debate with Donald Trump was followed by concerns that he was struggling with invisibility, with his campaign staff reportedly telling him it was like watching his "Grandpa who shouldn't be driving."
  • Multiple lawmakers told the authors that the Biden they saw reminded them of ailing parents and grandparents.
  • The authors report that Democrats were shocked at their interactions with Biden in 2024, both in closed-door meetings and donor gatherings.
  • Tapper and Thompson write that Biden's closest aides only closed ranks after the disastrous debate, trying to move past the debacle as though nothing happened.
  • Biden himself confirmed the book's claims when he stumbled into incoherence during a speech at a high school event, leaving his White House aides questioning his ability to continue running.
  • After the debate, 15 Democratic senators in particular made complaints about Biden's inconsistent responses and evident strain in interactions.
  • Ex-Senate Majority Leader Schumer stated there's a high likelihood of the President being unable to perform under duress.