How Groupthink Protected Biden and Re-elected Trump

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May 21, 2025

Jake Tapper, a CNN anchor and co-author of "Original Sin," delves into the decision-making dynamics surrounding Biden's presidency. He uncovers how loyalty may have led advisers to overlook critical issues regarding Biden's cognitive challenges. The discussion reveals the tensions within the Democratic Party, exploring the concept of groupthink that complicates honest assessments of leadership. Tapper highlights key moments, like the unique June debate, and emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in political campaigns.

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INSIGHT

Self-Deception Over Biden's Decline

Biden's team might not have lied intentionally, but they likely convinced themselves of his capability despite evidence to the contrary.
Voters' concerns about Biden's age had been clear for years, complicating the narrative of a cover-up.

ANECDOTE

Biden's Deposition Memory Lapses

Biden appeared confused and forgetful during a deposition related to classified information from 2017-2018.
He misunderstood key dates, showing a significant lapse in memory that surprised even prosecutors.

INSIGHT

Staff Accommodations Reveal Limits

Biden's staff made accommodations like teleprompters for even small fundraisers, signaling concerns about his spontaneous speaking ability.
They limited his meeting schedules, especially after 6 p.m., to manage his energy and cognitive load.

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This episode is about a seemingly simple question: Was there a Joe Biden cover-up?

Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new book argues there was. “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” details how Biden’s top advisers closed the circle around him and tried to conceal the extent of his decline.

But I think the story here is more complicated. If Biden’s top advisers were misleading the public, I think they were also lying to themselves. And if there was a cover-up, it had a lot of holes; voters had been telling pollsters they were worried about Biden’s age for years.

So I wanted to have Tapper on the show to talk about the discoveries in his book, but also about some of the bigger questions raised by the Democratic Party’s decision to almost renominate Biden: How do you see what is right in front of your eyes? How do you avoid letting loyalty to a person or a party blind you?

This episode contains strong language.

Mentioned:

“Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden” by Ezra Klein

“Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping” by Annie Linskey and Siobhan Hughes

Book Recommendations:

Lorne by Susan Morrison

Hitler’s People by Richard Evans

The Holy Roller by Andy Samberg, Joe Trohman and Rick Remender

Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.

You can find the transcript and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.html

This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Kelsey Kudak. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Marie Cascione, Annie Galvin, Michelle Harris, Rollin Hu, Marina King, Jan Kobal, Kristin Lin and Jack McCordick. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

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