The anticipated Biden Book War has finally kicked off. It seemed likely last year once Joe Biden stepped out of the presidential race, and the pressure mounted when Vice President Kamala Harris’ approval ratings plunged amidst a resurgent Donald Trump. Now, reporters, former aides, and aspiring authors are scrambling to document the unfolding drama, perhaps seeking to enrich themselves and secure their spots in the historical narrative. Even the Biden family seems to be feeling the heat, especially after last week’s cringe-worthy media tour that’s become the talk of Washington.
The first notable book addressing President Biden’s cognitive issues since his abrupt withdrawal is authored by Jake Tapper from CNN and Alex Thompson from Axios. Titled “Original Sin,” it comprises over 200 interviews with senior Democrats tied to the White House and the Harris campaign. The book details Biden’s troubling mental decline along with a significant cover-up implemented by his team and family.
It’s not a rarity for the media to miscalculate their narratives, especially after recent revelations. Some shocking information has emerged: if Biden were to win a second term, the White House had considered using a wheelchair for him, a decision they ultimately postponed due to campaign evaluations. Additionally, reports indicate that, since at least 2022, Biden has struggled with his train of thought, often forgetting names of key staff and stumbling in his speeches—with aides even utilizing multiple cameras to capture moments when he faltered during a brief video address.
One might wonder why Biden’s ongoing challenges with recalling names and places haven’t been openly discussed until now. The authors even suggest that mainstream media have played a role in the years of deceptive silence regarding Biden’s condition, dedicating more focus to their own complicity. Before the tumultuous Biden-Trump debate, Thompson analyzed campaign dynamics but never acknowledged Biden’s apparent cognitive issues.
There’s a pivotal moment highlighted in the book involving Tapper when he clashed with GOP member Lara Trump, who raised concerns about Biden’s condition. He questioned how such comments could affect children with speech impediments, but when she countered with claims of cognitive decline, he retorted that without a medical license, she shouldn’t classify anyone’s mental condition from afar—a jab aimed at CNN’s own storytelling about Trump’s mental state.
It’s quite striking to those who followed Biden during the 2020 campaign; the contrast between then and now is palpable. His gradual decline has been evident over the years, not sudden. While aging affects people differently, the degree to which Biden’s decline has been obscured seems to drift far from reality.
Tapper and Thompson aren’t solely grappling with their past silence. Recently on “The View,” Biden awkwardly navigated a minute-long conversation before his wife nudged him with scripted replies, inducing cheers from the audience while he stood somewhat lifeless beside her.
One can’t forget how the media has danced around substantial issues in the past, with figures like George Stephanopoulos openly admitting, years later, to their biases and attempts to shield figures like Bill Clinton. Similarly, despite clear evidence of Biden’s challenges, the mainstream media hasn’t questioned him significantly until now.
The narrative may be too late to salvage. Regardless of Jill Biden’s attempts to shield him from scrutiny, the situation seems precarious for the former president. A recent review from The New York Times, ironically enough, started with a playful yet misguided analogy regarding ancient wisdom and self-awareness.
In the early stages, this is just the first book, but with one wave of these revelations washing over, it’s likely others will follow suit to cash in. While the Biden chapter may be closing, the Biden Book War has only just begun.
