Questions surrounding former President Joe Biden’s mental fitness have resurfaced, with House lawmakers alleging a potential cover-up orchestrated by his staff to conceal signs of cognitive decline during his time in office. These allegations have intensified following the release of a new book and leaked audio recordings, prompting renewed scrutiny of Biden’s final months as president.
Comer Launches Investigation
Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer, Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is spearheading the investigation. On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Comer sent letters to Biden’s former physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, and several senior White House aides, requesting their testimony regarding the president’s cognitive health while in office. Comer suggests that the White House may have actively concealed signs of mental decline as Biden’s term drew to a close.
“The cover-up of President Biden’s obvious mental decline is a historic scandal,” Comer stated. “The American people deserve to know when this decline began, how far it progressed, and who was making critical decisions on his behalf.”
Comer has requested interviews with former White House aides Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, and Ashley Williams, as well as testimony from Dr. O’Connor and Neera Tanden, former director of the Domestic Policy Council. He has also raised concerns about Biden’s alleged use of an autopen, a device that replicates signatures, to issue pardons and authorize executive actions. Comer claims the White House blocked the president’s doctor and others from testifying before Congress in 2024, preventing lawmakers from obtaining a complete picture of Biden’s health. He has warned that the committee is prepared to escalate its efforts if those contacted do not agree to voluntary interviews.
“Original Sin” and Leaked Audio Fuel Allegations
The allegations against Biden have gained traction following the release of CNN’s Jake Tapper’s book, “Original Sin,” which claims that Biden’s aides attempted to conceal his cognitive decline while supporting his bid for a second term. Comer cited the book as a key reason for launching the investigation. A press release for “Original Sin” suggests that “Five people were running the country, and Joe Biden was at best a senior member of the board.”
Adding to the scrutiny, leaked audio published by Axios detailed an interview between Special Counsel Robert Hur and Biden in 2023. While Biden officials have refused to release the audio recordings, Axios obtained a copy, further fueling speculation about Biden’s mental state.
Autopen Concerns
Adding another layer to the investigation is the concern surrounding Biden’s use of an autopen. The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project conducted an analysis that revealed an increased use of the autopen “as Mr. Biden’s mental and physical decline accelerated.” The autopen was reportedly used even on days when Biden was present in the Oval Office and could have provided his actual signature. This raises questions about the authenticity of official documents and whether aides were using the autopen without Biden’s full awareness or consent.
Biden’s Team Denies Allegations
The Biden White House, Democratic officials, and Biden’s former aides have vehemently denied any claims of serious cognitive decline during his time in office. They point to multiple medical evaluations conducted in 2024 that found no evidence of significant neurological conditions.
During his presidency, Dr. O’Connor released a letter in 2024 outlining a neurological examination conducted by Dr. Kevin Cannard, which affirmed Biden’s mental capacity.
An anonymous Biden aide stated, “Yes, there were physical changes as he got older, but evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity.” The spokesperson challenged critics to identify any presidential decisions or addresses where Biden was unable to perform his duties due to mental decline, arguing that the evidence suggests he was a highly effective president.
Historical Context: Age and Health Concerns
Concerns about Biden’s age and health are not new. Throughout his career, questions have been raised about his fitness for office.
- 1988 Aneurysms: In 1988, Biden underwent surgery to repair two intracranial berry aneurysms. His recovery kept him away from the Senate for seven months.
- 2020 Campaign: During the 2020 presidential campaign, then-President Donald Trump frequently made unproven claims that Biden was suffering from dementia and labeled him “Sleepy Joe.”
- Special Counsel Report (2024): Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on Biden’s handling of classified documents included controversial assessments of the president’s memory and mental faculties. Hur described Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” citing instances where Biden struggled to recall dates and events.
Concerns over Biden’s Actions
Throughout his presidency, several incidents fueled concerns about Biden’s mental acuity:
- Stumbles on Air Force One stairs (2021): Biden stumbled multiple times while walking up the stairs to Air Force One, which the White House attributed to windy weather.
- Apparent Sleep at Climate Summit (2021): Video of Biden appearing to fall asleep at a climate change summit went viral, raising further questions about his fitness.
- Mixing up World Leaders: On multiple occasions, Biden made gaffes, such as confusing French President Emmanuel Macron with François Mitterrand, who died in 1996.
Tapper’s Book Details Alleged Decline
CNN anchor Jake Tapper’s book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” provides a detailed account of the alleged efforts to conceal Biden’s cognitive decline.
The book alleges that Biden’s condition during his 2024 presidential run was so poor that aides discussed putting him in a wheelchair. It also claims that Biden forgot the names of veteran aides and struggled to recognize familiar faces, such as actor George Clooney at a fundraiser.
Hur Defends Comments
Special Counsel Robert Hur defended his comments about Biden’s mental state before the House Committee on Oversight. He maintained that his assessment of Biden’s memory was based on his personal interactions with the former president during the classified documents probe.
Hur pointed to examples where Biden needed to be reminded of important dates, such as when he served as vice president and the year of his son Beau’s death. He asserted that “the president himself put his memory squarely at issue” and that he “did not sanitize information, nor did I disparage the president unfairly. I called it like I saw it.”
The Path Forward
As Chairman Comer pursues interviews with Biden’s former physician and White House aides, the investigation into the former president’s mental fitness is likely to continue. The outcome of this investigation remains uncertain, but it is sure to fuel further debate about the age and health of political leaders and the importance of transparency in government.
The allegations of a cover-up, combined with concerns about Biden’s use of an autopen, have created a cloud of suspicion around his final months in office. Whether these allegations will be substantiated remains to be seen, but they have undoubtedly raised serious questions about the decision-making processes within the White House during that period.
