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Biden's Decline: A Year of Physical and Mental Falter

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Former President Joe Biden struggled with cognitive decline, energy loss, and communication difficulties in his final year of presidency, according to a forthcoming book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson. A record-breaking fundraiser for Biden hosted by George Clooney on June 15, 2024, showcased the president's diminished state, with Clooney himself feeling shaken by the interaction. The book excerpt reveals how Biden's health concerns led to a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June, ultimately leading to his decision to drop out of the reelection bid.

Key Takeaways:

  • Biden's physical and mental decline was evident in his final year of presidency, with significant energy loss, cognitive skills decline, and communication capacity faltering.
  • The interaction between Biden and George Clooney at a fundraiser on June 15, 2024, was a stark sign of his decline, with Clooney feeling "shaken to his core" by the encounter.
  • Biden's inability to recognize Clooney was a moment of uncomfortable reality, revealing his cognitive decline.
  • The book excerpt mentions concerns raised by Democratic insiders, including a letter by Biden insisting he would stay in the race, which led to an op-ed by Clooney calling for him to drop out.
  • Biden's longtime aide, Steve Ricchetti, threatened to shut down Clooney's op-ed, internalizing his boss's words and exhibiting a Mob-boss-like mentality.
  • Democratic donors and insiders, such as Chuck Schumer and David Plouffe, expressed their concerns about Biden's health and its impact on the party, with Plouffe stating that Biden "totally f**ked us" by waiting too long to drop out.
  • The debate performance against Donald Trump in June was a disaster, sealing Biden's fate to drop out of the reelection bid.

Statistics:

  • The book is based on 200+ interviews with mostly Democratic insiders, conducted mostly after the 2024 election.
  • The June 15, 2024, fundraiser was a record-breaking event, though the exact figures are not mentioned in the excerpt.
  • Biden's energy loss was significant enough that his wife, Jill Biden, mentioned he would put in a full day and then continue working late at night, reading briefings and communicating with staff.
  • The debate against Donald Trump in June was described as disastrous, with Biden's performance being seen as a major contributor to his decline.
  • The op-ed by George Clooney, released less than a month after a letter by Biden insisting he would stay in the race, called for him to drop out of the race.

Sources:

  • Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again" (book excerpt published in the New Yorker)
  • Joe Biden and Jill Biden, joint interview on ABC's "The View" (earlier this month)

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