Some members of former President Joe Biden’s Cabinet did not believe that he could be relied upon to perform at 2 a.m. during an emergency by the final year of his presidency, according to a new book from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson. Several secretaries told the authors that Biden’s inner circle grew so small in 2023 and 2024 that even members of his Cabinet weren’t included. “Access dropped off considerably in 2024, and I didn’t interact with him as much,” said one Cabinet secretary, who explained that instead of briefing Biden, the secretary would brief other senior White House aides, who then briefed the president. The Cabinet member thought it was strange and wondered if it was a way of filtering out particular information and directing Biden’s decision-making, according to the book. “Yes, the president is ‘making the decisions,’ but if the inner circle is shaping them in such a way, is it really a decision? Are they leading him to something?” the Cabinet secretary wondered. The new book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” is being released on May 20. The book documents how Biden, his closest aides and his family forged ahead with the former president’s doomed 2024 reelection bid despite signs of his physical and mental decline. The book is based on more than 200 interviews, mostly with Democratic insiders, almost all of which occurred after the 2024 election was over. Even before Biden’s disastrous June 2024 debate that led to his decision to exit the race three weeks later, Tapper and Thompson write that Biden had been showing signs of his decline over and over again that were either ignored or explained away. Tapper and Thompson write that Biden’s aides privately discussed whether they would have to put him in a wheelchair for his second term and that Biden didn’t recognize movie star George Clooney at a June 2024 fundraiser. In a statement to CNN, a Biden spokesman criticized the book, saying: “We continue to await anything that shows where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision or where national security was threatened or where he was unable to do his job. In fact, the evidence points to the opposite - he was a very effective president.” The authors spoke to multiple Biden Cabinet secretaries for the book, who explained how Biden’s longtime aides shielded the president from them in 2023 and 2024 as his health deteriorated. Tapper and Thompson write that White House aides who once had regular access to Biden would go months without seeing him. At some meetings, others noticed that Biden “would occasionally be mumbling and not making much sense,” according to the authors. “I don’t think he has dementia,” said a second Cabinet secretary, according to the authors. “But the thing is, he’s an old man. The president can give you four to six good hours a day. When he got tired, sloppy isn’t the right word, but his guard was down.” The second Cabinet secretary said of Biden’s inner circle: “It’s hard for an adviser to be honest with the principal. If he had asked me, I would have told him, ‘Do one term and you’re done to preserve your legacy.’” A third Cabinet secretary told Tapper and Thompson that Biden’s top aides “shielded him in every meeting.” From October 2023 on, “the cabinet was kept at bay,” this secretary said. “For months, we didn’t have access to him. There was clearly a deliberate strategy by the White House to have him meet with as few people as necessary,” the third Cabinet secretary told the authors. “At one rare meeting during that time,” the authors write that the third secretary “was shocked by how the president was acting. He seemed ‘disoriented’ and ‘out of it,’ his mouth agape.” The secretary said that Biden’s staff always wanted to keep him happy and shield him from bad news. This was also true when the “bad news was about the president himself, about his deterioration,” the authors write. “The staff did him wrong,” the Cabinet member said. “If you were with him every day and you knew this was a problem, why didn’t you go to him and say something?”
First on CNN: New book reveals how Biden’s inner circle kept Cabinet from him in final two years of presidency
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"New Book Discusses Isolation of Biden from Cabinet Amid Health Concerns"
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TruthLens AI Summary
A new book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson reveals concerns within former President Joe Biden's Cabinet regarding his ability to handle responsibilities during emergencies in the final years of his presidency. According to various Cabinet members, Biden's inner circle significantly shrank in 2023 and 2024, leading to a notable decrease in direct interactions with the president. One Cabinet secretary expressed discomfort with the situation, noting that instead of briefing Biden directly, they were required to relay information to senior aides who would then communicate with him. This process raised questions about the transparency of information reaching Biden and suggested a potential manipulation of his decision-making. The book, titled "Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," is set to be released on May 20, and it draws from over 200 interviews with Democratic insiders, primarily conducted after the 2024 election.
The authors document alarming signs of Biden's physical and mental decline, which were reportedly overlooked by his closest aides and family members. Incidents such as Biden failing to recognize actor George Clooney at a fundraiser and concerns among aides about possibly needing to assist him physically during his second term highlight the seriousness of the situation. Some Cabinet members described a deliberate strategy by Biden's staff to limit his exposure to bad news, including news about his own health. A second Cabinet secretary remarked on the president's limited productive hours each day, suggesting that while he was capable, fatigue would sometimes lead to moments of confusion. The book portrays a troubling picture of a president increasingly isolated from his advisors and Cabinet, raising profound concerns about the management of his presidency during a critical period. The Biden administration has pushed back against the book's claims, asserting that evidence shows Biden was an effective president during his time in office.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the dynamics within former President Joe Biden’s administration during the final two years of his presidency, particularly focusing on the relationship between Biden and his Cabinet members. It references a new book that claims Biden's inner circle increasingly isolated him from his Cabinet, raising concerns about his capacity to govern effectively.
Motivation Behind the Publication
The primary aim of this article appears to be to highlight perceived failings in Biden's leadership and the concerns of those within his administration regarding his ability to perform his duties. By presenting this narrative, the article may be attempting to generate skepticism about Biden's competency, especially as he seeks re-election.
Public Perception
This news piece is likely designed to foster apprehension among the public about Biden’s mental and physical fitness for office. The inclusion of quotes from Cabinet members questioning the decision-making process implies a lack of trust in Biden's leadership, potentially influencing public opinion negatively.
Omissions and Concealment
The framing of the article raises questions about what information may be intentionally excluded. By focusing on the doubts of Cabinet members, it may divert attention from any positive aspects of Biden's presidency or achievements that could counterbalance these concerns.
Manipulative Elements
The manipulative aspect of the article is evident in its language and the selective presentation of information. By emphasizing doubts and failures, it creates a narrative that may lead the reader to question Biden's overall capability to serve effectively. The tone and choice of words can evoke a sense of urgency or alarm regarding his leadership.
Credibility of the Information
The credibility of the assertions in the article hinges on the book's sources, which include over 200 interviews with Democratic insiders. However, since these interviews were conducted post-2024 election, the timing may influence the perspective and motivations of those interviewed. This raises questions about the overall reliability of the claims made.
Societal Impact
The implications of this article could extend beyond public perception into the political arena, potentially affecting Biden's approval ratings and influencing the Democratic Party's strategy for the upcoming elections. It might also encourage discussions about succession and leadership within the party.
Target Audience
The article appears to target those who are already skeptical of Biden, including disillusioned Democrats and independent voters. It may resonate more with individuals who prioritize leadership competence and are concerned about the direction of the party.
Market and Economic Influence
In terms of economic impact, negative perceptions of a sitting president can lead to fluctuations in market confidence. Sectors reliant on government policies could be affected, particularly if concerns about Biden's leadership lead to shifts in legislative priorities or regulatory environments.
Geopolitical Relevance
While the article primarily focuses on domestic issues, it does hint at broader implications for U.S. leadership on the global stage. A president perceived as weak or mentally unfit could undermine international relations and negotiations, particularly with allies and adversaries alike.
Artificial Intelligence Use
There is no direct evidence within the article to suggest the use of artificial intelligence in its writing. However, if AI were involved, it could have played a role in structuring the narrative to emphasize specific themes or concerns to elicit a particular emotional response from readers.
In conclusion, the article presents a critical view of Biden's presidency, emphasizing doubts about his leadership. The information, while based on interviews, raises questions about credibility and manipulation, particularly in the context of his re-election campaign.