In brief
In a proactive response to allegations made in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s forthcoming book, Biden's aides emphasize that physical signs of aging do not indicate mental decline, defending the president's capabilities amidst controversy surrounding his health and campaign performance.
Amidst fresh allegations about his health during the 2024 presidential campaign, President Joe Biden's aides are pushing back against claims made in the new book, "Original Sin." The publication accuses the White House inner circle of concealing Biden's alleged physical decline, to the extent that discussions about using a wheelchair arose among his close associates. Biden, who is 82 years old, has faced scrutiny regarding his perceived health issues throughout his campaign and presidency. A spokesperson clarified that "evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity," asserting that Biden remains an effective leader. "Original Sin," co-authored by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios's Alex Thompson, details how aides were reportedly worried about Biden's mobility, with one official noting discussions of a wheelchair, prompted by the president’s worsening gait.The book is set for release on May 20 and claims Biden’s condition had deteriorated significantly, referencing a moment at a high-profile fundraiser where he reportedly failed to recognize actor George Clooney. Despite this, Biden stated in a recent BBC interview that leaving the race earlier would not have changed the election outcome, following his decision to suspend campaign efforts after a poor debate performance against rival Donald Trump.David Plouffe, a significant voice in the book, echoed discontent in the party regarding Biden’s timing in withdrawing from the race, stating, "We got so screwed by Biden as a party." Critics inside the Democratic Party have blamed Biden for waiting too long to exit the presidential race, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris just over three months to prepare for a challenge against Trump.Defending the president, aides indicated that his struggles with mobility had been attributed to a previous foot injury and emphasized that there has been no instance where Biden failed to fulfill his presidential responsibilities due to mental decline. An anonymous Biden aide noted the ongoing efforts to support his mobility while maintaining that the president is performing effectively.The upcoming book also alleges Biden occasionally forgot the names of long-standing aides, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and others, raising further concerns among party insiders. As the debate continues over Biden’s capacity to lead, the narrative surrounding his health remains contentious and central to the dynamics of the Democratic Party.
