Jake Tapper, CNN's lead DC anchor, and Alex Thompson, Axios' national political correspondent, dive deep into the tumultuous world of the Biden family. They discuss Joe Biden's apparent cognitive decline and the dynamic between him and Hunter, marked by addiction and secrecy. The conversation touches on the cover-up of Biden's struggles, his political decisions influenced by personal crises, and the loyalty issues among his aides. They also explore how these family dynamics could impact Biden's re-election campaign and the media's role in shaping public perception.
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Biden Family's Denial Culture
The Biden family lives by "don't call fat people fat," avoiding inconvenient truths about addiction and illness.
This denial led them to hide Hunter and Ashley Biden's substance abuse struggles and lie about Beau Biden's cancer.
insights INSIGHT
Joe Biden's Fear and Control by Hunter
Joe Biden fears Hunter relapsing or committing suicide and often yields to his demands.
Hunter manipulates this fear, bullying Biden into decisions like publicly supporting controversial family relationships.
insights INSIGHT
Biden Family Protects Hunter
The Biden family exhibited a "family versus the world" mentality, excusing inappropriate behavior to protect Hunter Biden.
Hunter's addiction was shielded, even at the expense of other family relationships and public honesty.
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Written by Arthur Miller, 'Death of a Salesman' is a two-act tragedy set in late 1940s Brooklyn. The play revolves around Willy Loman, an aging salesman who grapples with the reality that his American Dream of success and wealth is unattainable. Through a montage of memories, dreams, and arguments, the play explores Willy's consciousness and his inner conflict. Willy's life is marked by poor choices, delusions, and a desperate attempt to secure a better future for his sons through his life insurance policy. The play critiques the American Dream and the superficial values that Willy has adopted, leading to his tragic downfall. The final scene depicts Willy's funeral, attended by only a few people, highlighting the contrast between Willy's illusions and the harsh reality of his life[2][3][5].
The Devil's Dance
Hamid Ismailov
The Devil's Dance is a novel that vividly portrays the culture of 19th-century Turkestan, a world of lavish poetry recitals and brutal polo matches. It intertwines the story of a 19th-century courtesan with that of Abdulla Qodiriy, a renowned Uzbek writer who faced imprisonment and execution under the Soviet regime. The novel explores themes of history, literature, and the human condition, blending historical facts with imaginative storytelling.
The hellfire club
Jake Tapper
The Hellfire Club follows Charlie Marder, a young Congressman thrust into office by family ties, as he navigates the treacherous waters of 1950s Washington, DC. Amidst the McCarthy era, Charlie becomes embroiled in a mysterious car accident and a conspiracy involving the Hellfire Club, a secret society with ties to the highest levels of governance. As Charlie delves deeper, he must fight for his career and his life.
Original Sin
Henri Blochet
The Outpost
An Untold Story of American Valor
Jake Tapper
The Outpost chronicles the establishment and eventual destruction of Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan, focusing on the soldiers who served there and their families. The book explores the challenges faced by U.S. forces in remote regions and critiques the strategic decisions behind the outpost's location. It is a powerful story of courage and sacrifice, offering insights into the complexities of the Afghan war.
Jake Tapper is the lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent for CNN, whose books include The Outpost, The Hellfire Club, and The Devil May Dance. Alex Thompson is a national political correspondent for Axios and a political analyst for CNN. They just published Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.
For two clips of our convo — on the deep dysfunction of the Biden family, and the blame Jill deserves for concealing Joe’s decline — head to our YouTube page.
Other topics: Alex leaving the Mormon Church after his dad’s ex-communication and a loss of faith; the cult-like loyalty of Biden’s aides; hiding Beau’s cancer; Hunter’s profound addiction; dating Beau’s widow and getting her on crack too; his emotional blackmailing of Joe; his influence peddling; his infamous laptop; Ashley Biden’s rehab and relapse; the Kennedys; the Bidens’ rift with the Obamas; Joe’s bitterness over Barack backing Hillary in 2016; the first signs of cognitive decline; the Covid election and razor-thin victory; his moderate campaign followed by a radical left agenda in office; Ron Klain’s woke influence; Mike Donilon’s greed and propaganda; “Jim Crow 2.0”; Joe preoccupied with foreign policy; inflation and Larry Summers; Jill addicted to the glamor of the White House; their disowning of a granddaughter born out of wedlock; Joe’s hubris and selfishness to run again; his delusions over polling; his disastrous debate; sticking with Kamala and sticking it to the Dems; the pillorying of Robert Hur; the media’s complicity in hiding Joe’s decline; the dissent of George Clooney, Ari Emanuel, and Dean Phillips; and the Bidens paving the way for Trump 2.0.
Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Chris Matthews — who just revived “Hardball” on Substack, Robert Merry on President McKinley, Tara Zahra on the revolt against globalization after WWI, Walter Isaacson on Ben Franklin, Arthur C. Brooks on the science of happiness, Paul Elie on crypto-religion in ‘80s pop culture, and Johann Hari coming back to kibbitz for his fourth appearance on the pod. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
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