“Original Sin” Exposes Biden’s Final Years: Inner Circle Hid Decline, Book Claims
A forthcoming book titled Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson delves into the alleged concealment of President Joe Biden's health issues during his final years in office. Based on over 200 interviews with Democratic insiders, the book asserts that Biden's inner circle actively hid signs of his cognitive and physical decline to maintain his re-election campaign.
Authors' Credibility
Jake Tapper
Jake Tapper is CNN's lead Washington anchor and host of The Lead with Jake Tapper. He has received multiple journalism awards, including Emmy Awards in 2023 and 2024. Tapper has authored several books, both fiction and non-fiction, and is known for his political reporting and analysis.
Alex Thompson
Alex Thompson is a national political correspondent for Axios, recognized for his in-depth reporting on political campaigns and the White House. His work has been featured in various reputable publications, establishing him as a credible voice in political journalism.
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Key Revelations from the Book
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Concealment of Health Issues: The book alleges that Biden's aides went to great lengths to hide his deteriorating health, including discussions about using a wheelchair during the campaign and modifying event setups to accommodate his mobility challenges.
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Cognitive Decline: Instances are cited where Biden reportedly forgot the names of close aides and even failed to recognize actor George Clooney at a fundraiser, raising concerns about his cognitive abilities.
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Decision to Run Again: Despite evident health issues, Biden decided to seek re-election in 2024, a move the authors describe as the "original sin" that led to a campaign of "gaslighting and denial," ultimately resulting in the election of Donald Trump.
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Internal Party Concerns: The book reveals that key Democratic figures, including Senator Chuck Schumer, privately urged Biden not to run again to preserve his legacy, but these concerns were not publicly acknowledged according to The Times.
Public and Media Reaction
The book's revelations have sparked significant controversy. Critics accuse Tapper of hypocrisy, pointing out that he previously dismissed concerns about Biden's health during his presidency. Tapper has responded by acknowledging that he could have reported more on the issue, expressing humility about past coverage.
Despite the backlash, Original Sin has quickly climbed to the top of Amazon's sales charts, indicating strong public interest in the subject as reported on The Daily Beast.
