CNN’s Jake Tapper has faced accusations of hypocrisy for reportedly profiting from the decline of former President Joe Biden in his new book.
The controversy gained traction on Tuesday when an excerpt of Tapper’s forthcoming book, “Original Sin,” was released, revealing Biden’s concerning explanations about his physical and mental deterioration—and what seems like attempts to keep it under wraps.
Criticism poured in on social media aimed at Tapper, who wrote the book with Axios’ Alex Thompson. One user expressed frustration, stating, “Jake Tupper has always defended Biden, and now he’s flipping sides, pretending to be impartial.”
Another pointed out, “It’s ironic that Jake Tupper has penned a book on Biden’s decline while having contributed to it. He’s targeted those who pointed out these issues, including fellow Democrats.”
One comment suggested that the profits from Tapper’s book should support a sign reading “Mea Culpa – Jake Tapper,” highlighting perceived contradictions in his behavior.
Fox News hosts John Roberts and Joe Concha also criticized Tapper during a segment, contending that CNN and other liberal outlets had colluded to downplay Biden’s shortcomings throughout his presidency.
“It’s disgraceful that Jake Tupper is trying to rewrite history while profiting from it. He was part of the media effort that defended Biden,” Concha remarked.
He recalled a previous incident where Tapper dismissed Lara Trump as a conspiracy theorist simply for pointing out inconsistencies in Biden’s business dealings while in office.
Concha went on to note the optics of Biden’s situation for Democrats, suggesting the book’s publication and associated leaks are more about self-protection than accountability.
Among the revealing details from the book, an alarming incident surfaced during the 2024 campaign, where George Clooney reportedly avoided mentioning Biden at a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles due to concerns about Biden’s health.
Some aides were worried enough about Biden’s decline that they contemplated the possibility of him needing a wheelchair should he win reelection.
In response to the backlash, a CNN representative defended Tapper, asserting that he had provided a fair and accurate portrayal of Biden.
“Jake Tupper is a seasoned journalist whose comprehensive reporting spans both sides of the political spectrum for years,” the spokesperson claimed.
They added that throughout the 2020-2024 campaign, Tapper raised concerns about Biden’s mental fitness, directly questioning Biden’s officials about his health and fostering open dialogue on the matter.
