A new book is raising questions about former President Joe Biden’s mental fitness during his time in office, sparking a renewed debate about his cognitive abilities and the alleged efforts to conceal his decline from the public.
The Book’s Allegations
The book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” co-authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, paints a “damning portrait” of Biden during the 2024 election. It alleges that Biden experienced diminished physical and mental faculties, which his aides and advisors actively concealed from the public.
Specific Claims
- Cognitive Decline: The book suggests that Biden’s cognitive decline was evident to those around him.
- Physical Deterioration: It claims that Biden’s physical deterioration was so severe that his advisors considered whether he would need a wheelchair if he were elected for a second term. They allegedly felt they “couldn’t” put him in a wheelchair “until after the election”.
- Cover-Up: The authors assert that there was a deliberate effort to hide the extent of Biden’s decline from the American public during the primary season.
- Debate Performance: The book points to Biden’s “disastrous” performance in the June 27th presidential debate as a turning point, raising serious questions about his health and ability.
Reactions and Responses
The book’s claims have elicited strong reactions, with critics accusing the media, including Tapper himself, of previously participating in a “cover-up” and now attempting to “re-write history”.
Political Fallout
- Democrats Dodging Questions: When questioned about Biden’s fitness for office during the 2024 election, leading Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries offered evasive responses, stating they were “looking forward” rather than addressing the past.
- Biden’s Confidence: Despite concerns, Biden reportedly expressed confidence that he would have won if he had stayed in the 2024 presidential race, calling his opponent a “loser”.
- Advisors’ “Denial”: Author Chris Whipple, in his book “Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History,” argues that Biden’s family and closest advisors operated in a “fog of delusion and denial” regarding his ability to serve another term.
Other Books and Perspectives
Several other books and reports have also raised concerns about Biden’s cognitive abilities and potential conflicts of interest.
“Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History”
Chris Whipple’s “Uncharted” details how Biden’s advisors were allegedly “protecting the president” by minimizing his contact with others. Whipple notes that during the 2024 campaign, Biden “was in a terrible state,” “absolutely exhausted,” and “unable really to follow what was happening in the campaign”.
“Blood Money: Why the Powerful Turn a Blind Eye While China Kills Americans”
Peter Schweizer, a well-known investigative journalist, has authored several books that touch on political corruption and potential conflicts of interest. While his book “Blood Money” doesn’t focus specifically on Biden’s mental fitness, it does explore the influence of China on American politics and alleges that some American leaders have remained passive in the face of Chinese actions.
Senate Committee on Finance Report
A 2020 report by the Senate Committee on Finance detailed potential conflicts of interest related to Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine and other countries. The report raised concerns about whether these dealings could have created vulnerabilities for then-Vice President Joe Biden.
Jake Tapper’s Role and Past Coverage
Jake Tapper, co-author of “Original Sin,” has faced scrutiny for his past coverage of Biden’s cognitive abilities. While Tapper has stated that he has “been covering the concerns about President Biden’s age and health for years,” critics argue that he was part of a media “cover-up”.
Instances of Questioning Biden’s Fitness
- Tapper directly questioned Biden about his age and health in an October 2022 interview.
- He challenged Democrats and White House officials about the issue on his show.
Instances of Downplaying Concerns
- In September 2023, Tapper asserted that Biden was mentally “sharp” and suggested that concerns were only about whether he was “physically” able to do the job.
- Critics point out that Tapper’s program covered some of Biden’s physical stumbles, such as tripping on Air Force One, but avoided other viral moments, such as Biden falling off his bike.
Peter Schweizer’s Investigative Work
Peter Schweizer is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and president of the Government Accountability Institute. He is known for his investigative journalism and has written several books that have sparked controversy and debate.
Notable Books
- Clinton Cash: Explores the financial dealings of Bill and Hillary Clinton and their connections to foreign governments and businesses.
- Secret Empires: Investigates how American political elites allegedly use their positions to enrich themselves and their families.
- Profiles in Corruption: Examines alleged abuses of power by progressive politicians.
- Red-Handed: Focuses on how American elites allegedly get rich helping China win.
- Blood Money: Exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s alleged covert operations in the American drug trade, social justice movement, and medical establishment.
Criticism of Schweizer’s Work
Schweizer’s work has been praised for its investigative rigor but has also faced criticism for alleged political bias and inaccuracies. Some critics have pointed out that Schweizer’s research has been funded by conservative organizations and that his reporting has sometimes been used to attack political opponents.
The Broader Debate on Age and Fitness for Office
The questions raised about Biden’s mental fitness are part of a broader discussion about the age and health of political leaders. As the population ages, there is growing concern about whether older politicians are capable of handling the demands of high office.
Calls for Cognitive Testing
Some have called for mandatory cognitive testing for older politicians to ensure they are mentally fit to serve. However, others argue that such tests could be discriminatory and that voters should be able to assess a candidate’s fitness for themselves.
Conclusion
The new book questioning Biden’s mental fitness has reignited a sensitive debate about age, health, and transparency in politics. While the book’s claims are sure to be contested, they raise important questions about the ability of political leaders to serve effectively and the extent to which their potential limitations are disclosed to the public. The controversy surrounding the book highlights the challenges of balancing privacy concerns with the public’s right to know about the health and well-being of those in power.
