Donilon Testifies on Biden’s Use of Autopen

Mike Donilon, a key adviser to former President Biden, told Congressional investigators that he was unaware of the autopen or its applications, according to a source familiar with his testimony.

Donilon appeared before the House Oversight Committee as part of an inquiry led by Chairman James Comer into Biden’s mental fitness and the administration’s usage of the autopen. He has been advising Biden since 1981 and has worked as a strategist and media consultant throughout Biden’s Senate career.

During his testimony, Donilon mentioned his potential earnings of $8 million from Biden’s re-election campaign. He dismissed worries about Biden’s debate performance, suggesting that critics in the media and on Capitol Hill had overreacted. While he acknowledged that Biden’s presence sometimes fluctuated—stumbling over words occasionally—he expressed frustration with the public’s focus on Biden’s appearance.

He reiterated that he had no knowledge of how the autopen functioned. Donilon previously served as Biden’s counselor and was instrumental in strategy, messaging, and advertising for Biden’s 2020 and 2024 candidacies.

Former Democratic Representative Dean Phillips characterized Donilon as one of the “masterminds” working to ensure Biden remains in the 2024 presidential race, suggesting that individuals like him might be driven by a desire for “self-preservation.”

Another long-time aide, Steve Richetti, also downplayed concerns regarding Biden’s cognitive health during his recent testimony. Richetti and Donilon followed former staff member Ron Crane, who answered questions for several hours the previous week.

Meanwhile, other colleagues of Biden, including former White House physician Kevin O’Connor and former staff members, have invoked the Fifth Amendment in relation to the committee’s inquiries.