NPR's Book of the Day 'Original Sin' argues Biden aides enabled his reelection bid, despite mental decline
May 20, 2025
Jake Tapper, CNN anchor and co-author of 'Original Sin,' discusses the troubling moments of President Biden's mental decline. He reveals instances where Biden struggled to recognize key aides and donors, presenting a duality between a 'functioning' and 'non-functioning' version of the president. The conversation dives into the moral dilemmas faced by Biden's inner circle, who shielded the public from these realities, and the implications of these decisions as the 2023 election approaches. Tapper also highlights the ethical struggles of loyalty versus transparency.
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Biden's Name Recall Struggles
- Joe Biden struggled to recall names of close aides like Mike Donilon during campaign and White House events.
- This and other moments illustrated his alleged decline shielded by his inner circle to protect his image.
Two Bidens: Functioning vs Non-Functioning
- Biden showed a dual persona: functioning and non-functioning, worsening over time.
- His inner circle intentionally limited others' exposure to hide his declining state.
Signs of Cognitive Decline
- Non-functioning Biden suffered from memory loss of close friends and inability to have coherent conversations.
- This went beyond common age-related forgetfulness, involving serious cognitive lapses.
