Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• A new book reveals that Joe Biden’s inner circle discussed his potential need for a wheelchair if he won re-election due to severe physical deterioration.
• The book, “Original Sin,” exposes efforts to conceal Biden’s declining health from the public during his 2024 re-election campaign.
• Biden’s aides were alarmed by his significant spinal degeneration and overall health decline.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The forthcoming book “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson details the internal discussions within Biden’s inner circle about his health. The book is based on interviews with over 200 Democratic insiders and highlights the severe physical and cognitive decline of President Biden.

Core Players

• Joe Biden – President of the United States
• Jake Tapper – CNN reporter and co-author of “Original Sin”
• Alex Thompson – Axios reporter and co-author of “Original Sin”
• David Axelrod – Democratic strategist and former adviser to President Barack Obama

Key Numbers

• 200+ – Number of Democratic insiders interviewed for the book
• 2023-2024 – Period during which Biden’s health decline was most pronounced
• 81 – Biden’s age during his re-election campaign
• May 20, 2025 – Release date of the book “Original Sin”

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The book reveals that Biden’s physical deterioration, particularly the significant degeneration of his spine, led to internal discussions about his potential need for a wheelchair if he won re-election. These discussions underscore the extent of his declining health and the concerns of his aides.

“Biden’s physical deterioration — most apparent in his halting walk — had become so severe that there were internal discussions about putting the president in a wheelchair, but they couldn’t do so until after the election,” the authors write.

Inside Forces

The White House made a concerted effort to conceal the reality of Biden’s condition from the public, even at the risk of his own health. This cover-up was crucial as Biden faced a tough re-election bid against Donald Trump.

David Axelrod, a Democratic strategist, described the details in the book as “somewhat stunning” and indicative of a deeper issue within Biden’s inner circle and the Democratic Party.

Power Dynamics

The decision to keep Biden’s health issues hidden reflects the power dynamics within the White House and the Democratic Party. The book suggests that Biden’s inner circle and family enabled his decision to run for a second term despite his declining health.

“What struck me was that when you are president of the United States, fatigue and strain is your daily existence,” Axelrod said. “And this is why I said in 2022 that it was going to be hard to make the case that he should be president for four more years.”

Outside Impact

The revelations in the book have broader implications for public trust in political leadership and the transparency of health information about public figures. The book’s release is likely to spark debates about the fitness of leaders to serve, especially at advanced ages.

The public’s perception of Biden’s health and his ability to serve as president will be reevaluated in light of these new details.

Future Forces

The book’s release sets the stage for future discussions on the health and fitness of political candidates. It may lead to increased scrutiny of candidates’ health records and more transparent reporting on their physical and mental well-being.

As the 2024 election cycle is now complete, the focus will shift to how these revelations impact future political campaigns and the broader political landscape.

Data Points

• 2023-2024: Period of significant health decline for Biden
• May 20, 2025: Release date of “Original Sin”
• 200+: Number of Democratic insiders interviewed for the book
• 81: Biden’s age during his re-election campaign