Claims of a cover-up regarding President Biden's health during his re-election bid have provoked sharp responses from his aides.
Biden Team Responds to Claims of Cover-Up Over Health Decline
Biden Team Responds to Claims of Cover-Up Over Health Decline
New Book Sparks Controversy About Biden's Physical Condition During Campaign
In a recent turn of events, aides to former President Joe Biden have vehemently rejected allegations presented in an upcoming book suggesting that the White House attempted to conceal his physical health decline during his 2024 re-election campaign. The book, titled *Original Sin*, authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’s Alex Thompson, claims that Biden's health condition had deteriorated to the extent that discussions were held about the necessity of a wheelchair for the aging leader.
A Biden spokesperson asserted that "evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity," defending Biden's effectiveness as president while addressing concerns over his age, especially after his August 2023 withdrawal from the race post a tumultuous debate against Donald Trump. Insider narratives claim that the tardy exit left ramifications for Vice President Kamala Harris, who had only 107 days to prepare for the general election.
As the book is set for release on May 20, the former president conducted an interview with BBC, suggesting that an earlier withdrawal would have had no impact on the overarching electoral results. One of the notable critiques from the book comes from David Plouffe, former campaign strategist for Vice President Harris, who expressed frustration over Biden's late exit from the race, remarking, "We got so screwed by Biden as a party."
Among the unsettling details, the authors note that Biden’s physical unevenness had become increasingly visible, leading aides to limit his walking distances and encourage the use of handrails. They reported that Biden had experienced a noticeable decline in his gait, which insiders explained as stemming from a 2020 foot fracture rather than a mental decline. Nonetheless, concerns regarding Biden's mental acuity escalated, particularly following a campaign event where he allegedly failed to recognize actor George Clooney, leading to Clooney's eventual withdrawal of support for him.
While anonymous aides have aimed to downplay allegations of Biden's incapacity, stating, "we are still waiting for someone, anyone, to point out where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision or make a presidential address where he was unable to do his job because of mental decline," the controversy surrounding his physical and mental health continues to spark dialogue among party ranks.
A Biden spokesperson asserted that "evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity," defending Biden's effectiveness as president while addressing concerns over his age, especially after his August 2023 withdrawal from the race post a tumultuous debate against Donald Trump. Insider narratives claim that the tardy exit left ramifications for Vice President Kamala Harris, who had only 107 days to prepare for the general election.
As the book is set for release on May 20, the former president conducted an interview with BBC, suggesting that an earlier withdrawal would have had no impact on the overarching electoral results. One of the notable critiques from the book comes from David Plouffe, former campaign strategist for Vice President Harris, who expressed frustration over Biden's late exit from the race, remarking, "We got so screwed by Biden as a party."
Among the unsettling details, the authors note that Biden’s physical unevenness had become increasingly visible, leading aides to limit his walking distances and encourage the use of handrails. They reported that Biden had experienced a noticeable decline in his gait, which insiders explained as stemming from a 2020 foot fracture rather than a mental decline. Nonetheless, concerns regarding Biden's mental acuity escalated, particularly following a campaign event where he allegedly failed to recognize actor George Clooney, leading to Clooney's eventual withdrawal of support for him.
While anonymous aides have aimed to downplay allegations of Biden's incapacity, stating, "we are still waiting for someone, anyone, to point out where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision or make a presidential address where he was unable to do his job because of mental decline," the controversy surrounding his physical and mental health continues to spark dialogue among party ranks.
