White House Deliberately Hid Biden’s Failing Cognitive Decline Since Day One of Presidency: Report
A new report has uncovered that the White House deliberately concealed President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline throughout his entire presidency.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the administration took extensive steps to manage the president’s health concerns, from hiring a vocal coach to downplaying his cognitive struggles.
The report highlights an ongoing effort to hide Biden’s decline, which included appointing other officials to handle tasks typically overseen by the president, canceling meetings on his “bad days,” and even avoiding calls with other political leaders.
While aides worked to downplay the issue, Biden’s cognitive decline became more evident over time, especially after Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report last year, which detailed the president’s forgetfulness and frailty.
The report raises serious questions about Biden’s ability to manage critical tasks. When Hur investigated the case of classified documents found in Biden’s Delaware garage, he decided not to charge the president, citing Biden’s “poor memory” and presenting him as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man.” Hur’s report noted Biden’s struggles, including his difficulty repeating lines given to him by aides during his interview.
In addition to these concerns, Biden was often forced to cancel key national security meetings. When this occurred, aides would tell attendees that the president was having “bad days” and would reschedule. These cancellations led to further questions about his capacity to handle the pressures of the presidency.
Inside the White House, Biden’s inner circle, often referred to as the “Biden whisperers,” was reported to have a disproportionate influence over the president’s decision-making.
A high-level Democratic strategist told the Daily Mail that much of Biden’s executive power is held by advisors who are not externally visible, such as Bruce Reed, Steve Ricchetti, and Mike Donilon. This has led to frustration among lower-level staff who feel sidelined by the trio’s substantial influence over the president.
As Biden’s presidency nears its end, there is growing uncertainty in Washington about who is truly in control of the country. This confusion was apparent during the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, when Rep. Adam Smith (R-KY), then-chair of the House Armed Services Committee, struggled to contact Biden to voice his concerns. After publicly criticizing the withdrawal plan, Smith was reprimanded by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a close ally of Biden.
Biden did eventually call Smith to apologize, but it was the only personal call the congressman received from the president during his four years in office, despite Smith’s prominent role in Congress.
Further compounding concerns, aides observed the stark contrast between Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, who is eight years his junior and maintains an energetic schedule, highlighting her husband’s slower pace.
The president’s cognitive abilities also became a point of public concern after his performance during the 2020 presidential debate. Biden appeared to freeze, struggle to form coherent sentences and displayed blank stares, raising questions about his fitness for office.
To mitigate these issues, Biden’s aides often relied on visual cues to guide him during public appearances, with detailed instruction cards on where to walk, sit, and look. His team also hired Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg to find a voice coach to help with his fading voice. When his voice failed, aides would step in to prevent him from participating in calls or public events.