Initial insights from upcoming books detailing President Biden’s term and his challenging reelection campaign paint a rather bleak picture of his political journey.
In “The Original Crime: President Biden’s Decline, Its Coverage, His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson, there are additional revelations about how those close to Biden tried to shield him from alarming signs of aging and his preparations for the upcoming term.
A notable revelation reported by Axios reveals that the book is due to be released soon. It mentions that aides acted after considering that Biden shouldn’t be seen in a wheelchair before the election.
Biden has experienced several falls during his presidency. A significant incident occurred at the Air Force Academy launch in June 2023, where he stumbled but did not suffer injuries. However, his physician, Kevin O’Connor, cautioned that another bad fall could lead to challenging recovery and possibly needing a wheelchair.
Aides started implementing measures last November to mitigate the risks of another fall, including finding shorter routes and encouraging him to wear sneakers and use handrails more often at events.
Axios reported concerns from O’Connor regarding the impact of presidential duties on Biden’s health, which prompted him to advise the president to take breaks. O’Connor pointed out “serious spinal arthritis,” which has contributed to Biden’s increasingly labored walking.
Throughout his career, Biden has consistently insisted he’s fit for office, despite public instances that raised doubts, like the notable incident against Trump last June.
Yet, the insights hint at an awareness among his inner circle about Biden’s vulnerabilities, often preventing his staff from witnessing his struggles.
An early copy of the book, obtained by the Guardian, quoted a senior aide who stated that they tried to shield Biden from his staff to minimize awareness of his decline in 2023. Some aides departed the White House over concerns about his reelection bid.
In excerpts shared in The New Yorker, it’s noted that after the election, Biden expressed feeling unjustly treated and believed he could have outperformed Trump according to the polls. However, his advisors argued that no polling data supported his claims, indicating he would have lost significantly.
The author noted a recurring gap between Biden’s positive outlook and the harsh reality reflected in polling results, implying that his close advisors tended to protect him from negative information.
In mid-June, just before a clash with Trump, there was an incident where Biden appeared to forget the actor George Clooney, even though they had known each other for years. Guests noted that Biden seemed almost unresponsive during social interactions and exhibited signs of cognitive lapses.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed apprehension about Biden’s upcoming debate, highlighting instances where Biden forgot whom he was speaking to. Discussions about these concerns were kept within a tight circle to avoid complicating Biden’s reelection campaign.
Schumer, during a wedding, allegedly mentioned having contingency plans if discussions went poorly, though the specifics of these plans weren’t disclosed.
This comes as Biden is beginning to resurface publicly, engaging in interviews about his presidency and campaign, with recent appearances drawing criticism from party members wishing to keep a low profile as they regroup for the future.
Biden refuted claims regarding his mental acuity impacting electoral outcomes, asserting his leadership while acknowledging past challenges.
A connected report regarding a small nodule found in Biden’s prostate during a routine check adds to the pressure surrounding the former president.
The insights from Tapper and Thompson will complement findings from “Fight: Inside the Wildest White House” by Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen, which also highlight signs of Biden’s aging and contingency plans in case he stepped down.
In Tupper and Thompson’s book, a former adviser to Harris attributed issues in her campaign to Biden’s delayed decision to exit the race, with an unflattering quote reflecting his feelings on the matter.
