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**Summary:**
A new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson alleges that Joe Biden experienced a significant mental and physical decline in the final two years of his presidency, which was reportedly covered up by his inner circle to facilitate his 2024 reelection bid. The book cites numerous instances where Biden was allegedly forgetful, incoherent, and unable to perform his duties effectively. Democratic insiders, lawmakers, and White House aides expressed concern, but largely remained silent. The book also details the role of Biden’s close aides in shielding him from negative information and the pressure from figures like Chuck Schumer for him to step aside for the good of the party.
**News Article:**
**New Book Alleges Biden’s Sharp Decline Was Covered Up During Final Years in Office**
**Washington D.C.** – A forthcoming book from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson is set to ignite a firestorm in Washington, alleging that former President Joe Biden experienced a marked decline in mental and physical capabilities during the final two years of his presidency, a decline that was allegedly deliberately shielded from the public.
“Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” which was released Tuesday, draws upon over 200 interviews, primarily with Democratic insiders conducted after the 2024 election. The book paints a picture of a president struggling to recall names of key staff, exhibiting increasing incoherence, and requiring an increasingly limited public schedule.
The authors claim that concerns about Biden’s health were pervasive among Democratic lawmakers, White House aides, and even members of his Cabinet, but that most remained silent, fearing the consequences of challenging the President’s reelection bid. According to the book, some Democratic leaders worried about how Biden would cope if facing a national emergency in the middle of the night. The book reports that Biden could not recall the names of his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and communications director, Kate Bedingfield, at one point in December 2022.
Tapper and Thompson contend that Biden’s inner circle, including his wife, son, and a group of long-time aides, actively worked to protect him from negative information and dissenting voices. One anecdote describes a Democratic senator telling the First Lady of her concern for the President’s health and being dismissed. The authors argue that the former President’s performance during the 2024 debate with Donald Trump was not an anomaly. “It was the natural result of an eighty-one-year-old man whose capabilities had been diminishing for years.”
The book’s publication comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Biden’s health following the recent announcement of his diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The diagnosis has elicited well-wishes, even from political adversaries like Donald Trump.
Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the debate, stating that despite wishing Biden well, the country needs to be honest about his capabilities while in office.
The new book has already drawn criticism. A Biden spokesman issued a statement to CNN, defending the former president’s performance and dismissing the allegations as lacking evidence of any significant impact on his decision-making or national security.
However, the revelations are sure to fuel further debate about the decision-making process surrounding Biden’s reelection bid and raise questions about the transparency surrounding the health and well-being of high-ranking public officials.
The book includes further details about concerns over Biden’s health, dating back to his 2020 campaign, and how close aides tried to move past the debacle of his disastrous debate with Trump. According to the book, in the leadup to Biden’s July 2024 decision to exit the race, Schumer insisted on meeting with the president and traveled to Delaware for the difficult conversation. The authors write that Schumer told Biden that he would only get five votes if there was a secret ballot of Senate Democrats on whether he should keep running.
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