In a recent exposé by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, alarming insights into former President Joe Biden’s physical decline during his presidency have emerged. The book, titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” is set to be released on May 20 and is built on more than 200 interviews, mainly from Democratic insiders, conducted after the 2024 election. According to Axios, significant discussions among Biden’s aides revolved around the reality that his physical condition had deteriorated to such an extent that they contemplated the prospect of him having to use a wheelchair during his reelection campaign.
As detailed in the book, Biden’s physical struggles became evident in his halting gait, leading to serious internal talks about a potential wheelchair requirement should he win a second term. By the end of his presidency, aides reportedly feared that having the president rely on a wheelchair would be politically damaging, though they recognized that it could become necessary for his mobility. These observations raise critical questions regarding the former president’s overall health and the implications that it may have had informed decisions during his time in office.
Biden’s medical issues, as relayed by his personal physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, included warnings that a bad fall in 2023 or 2024 could necessitate the use of a wheelchair and complicate his recovery from injuries sustained during such an event. The authors mention that Biden’s team implemented precautionary measures to safeguard him during public appearances, including selecting shorter routes to stages and adding handrails to ensure safer walking paths. Furthermore, they adapted logistics for boarding Air Force One to facilitate his movement, a clear sign that his aides were deeply concerned about his stability, especially as the 2024 elections approached. Despite these logistical safety measures, Biden’s struggles culminated in a disastrous debate against former president Donald Trump in June 2024, prompting him to step away from the presidential race just weeks later.
The report further illustrates the concern regarding Biden’s cognitive health, noting instances where he exhibited struggles with memory, becoming forgetful, and appearing lost in conversations with familiar individuals. Such instances of cognitive decline align with the worries about his overall mental fitness to serve effectively as president. In light of these revelations, a spokesperson for Biden addressed the media, asserting that while the former president exhibited a stiffened gait influenced by his aging spine, he did not require special treatment nor was his condition worsening. The spokesperson emphasized that aging signs are not synonymous with mental incapacity, disputing notions of an alarming decline in Biden’s cognitive abilities.
The statement also challenged critics, stating that there has been no evidence indicating Biden’s inability to make pivotal presidential decisions due to mental decline, asserting instead that his performance as president has been effective. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden reinforced their stance in a joint interview on ABC’s “The View,” opposing allegations of cognitive decline. Jill Biden asserted that the authors of the speculative accounts had not witnessed the demanding effort Joe invested during his presidency, painting a picture of a dedicated leader committed to his responsibilities.
Through their detailed investigation, Tapper and Thompson’s book not only highlights Biden’s health struggles but also brings to light the lengths to which his team went to manage the narrative surrounding his presidency. This narrative management raises broader questions about the intersections between health, leadership, and transparency in a world captivated by the presidency’s role and responsibilities. As the 2024 election looms, the implications of these revelations will undoubtedly continue to resonate within political discourse.