Democrats Baffled by Biden's Health Condition
U.S. President Joe Biden's health concerns and supposed decline have sparked controversy among Democrats, according to a recent book by U.S. journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. Titled "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," the book claims Biden struggle with cognitive difficulties and physical deterioration in his final years in office.
The authors describe various incidents where Biden failed to recognize prominent figures within his team, spoke incoherently, and exhibited forgetfulness. These instances allegedly multiplied in the two years leading up to his presidential re-election campaign, culminating in a noteworthy debate with Donald Trump in June 2024.
The book reveals that some of Biden's cabinet members doubted his ability to handle a national emergency at 2 a.m., fearing that a catastrophe in 2023 would have been disastrously managed in 2024. Biden was shielded from public scrutiny, according to the authors, as his inner circle—which included his wife, son, and long-time advisors—kept him in power despite mounting concerns regarding his health.
Biden's age and health have become topical in recent days. Last Sunday, Biden's office announced that he had been diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. The statement added that Biden and his family are "reviewing treatment options with his doctors."
The cancer diagnosis prompted sympathy from various quarters, including former President Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social, "Melania and I are saddened to hear of Joe Biden's latest medical diagnosis. We send our warmest and best wishes to Jill and her family, and wish Joe a speedy and successful recovery."
Yet, the debate over Biden's decision to run for re-election persists. Vice President J.D. Vance stated on Monday to reporters, "I wish Biden the best for his health, but we must honestly ask ourselves if the former President was able to do the job." He further suggested that Biden's entourage bore some responsibility for placing an unfit man back into the Oval Office.
An audio recording of Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur regarding the affair of secret documents, published by news portal Axios, reinforces the concerns raised in the book about Biden's memory issues. The recording illustrated why Hur described Biden as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with poor memory."
The book is based on more than 200 interviews, most of which were conducted after the 2024 election, mainly with insiders from the Democratic Party. It was published on Tuesday.
- Despite the release of Joe Biden's book 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again', the discussion about his cognitive difficulties and physical deterioration continues, fueled by concerns for his health and performance in political matters.
- The US presidential election of 2024 has become a platform for debating the impact of mental-health and aging on a candidate's ability to lead, with Biden's health struggles being a central focus.
- In the realm of general-news, the discussion about Biden's supposed decline has expanded to include his recent diagnosis of an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer, and the subsequent exploration of health-and-wellness treatment options.
- The book also sheds light on the politics surrounding Biden's decision to run for re-election, with some questioning his ability to handle emergencies due to his age and health concerns, which has stirred debate about who should be fit to serve in the highest office in the US, a topic closely tied to science, given the importance of maintaining mental acuity and physical health for effective governance.
