Biden aide hits back at new book alleging cover-up of his 'deterioration'
A new book titled 'Original Sin' by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson alleges that former President Joe Biden's inner circle covered up his physical deterioration during his 2024 re-election campaign. The book claims that Biden's condition was so severe that aides considered using a wheelchair for him, though they waited until after the election due to political implications. Biden's spokesperson argues that while there were physical changes due to aging, these did not affect his mental capacity or effectiveness as president. The book also recounts incidents such as Biden not recognizing George Clooney and forgetting the names of veteran aides, suggesting cognitive decline. In response, Biden maintains he was an effective president and believes his late withdrawal from the race had no impact on the election outcome against Donald Trump.
Context:
A new book titled 'Original Sin' by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson alleges that former President Joe Biden's inner circle covered up his physical deterioration during his 2024 re-election campaign. The book claims that Biden's condition was so severe that aides considered using a wheelchair for him, though they waited until after the election due to political implications. Biden's spokesperson argues that while there were physical changes due to aging, these did not affect his mental capacity or effectiveness as president. The book also recounts incidents such as Biden not recognizing George Clooney and forgetting the names of veteran aides, suggesting cognitive decline. In response, Biden maintains he was an effective president and believes his late withdrawal from the race had no impact on the election outcome against Donald Trump.
Dive Deeper:
The book 'Original Sin' suggests Biden's physical decline was significant during his 2024 campaign, leading to discussions among aides about using a wheelchair, although they decided to postpone such measures until after the election due to political concerns.
Biden's spokesperson defended him by stating that signs of aging do not indicate mental incapacity, emphasizing that he remained a very effective president during his term and managed his responsibilities competently.
Specific incidents cited in the book include Biden not recognizing actor George Clooney at a fundraiser and forgetting the names of trusted aides, which the authors interpret as signs of cognitive issues.
Biden's decision to halt his campaign after a poor debate performance against Donald Trump left Vice-President Kamala Harris with limited time to mount a successful challenge, which insiders criticized as a strategic error.
Despite the claims in the book, Biden asserted in an interview that withdrawing earlier would not have changed the election's outcome, expressing no regrets over his decision to exit the race when he did.
The book primarily relies on anonymous sources, though it includes on-the-record comments from figures like David Plouffe, who criticized Biden's impact on the Democratic Party's chances in the 2024 race.
The narrative of Biden's alleged decline is countered by statements from his aides, who attributed his altered gait to a past foot injury and denied any significant impact on his presidential duties.