'Original Sin' argues Biden aides enabled his reelection bid, despite mental decline
NPR's Book of the Day examines concerns about President Biden's cognitive decline and his inner circle's management of it. Authors Alex Thompson and Scott Detrow present evidence from White House officials and documented incidents, including Biden's difficulty recognizing aides and his restricted schedule that often ends in early afternoon.
The episode explores how key White House decisions are made by a small group of advisers, notably Steve Ricchetti and Tom Donilon, with Secretary Yellen excluded from economic discussions. The authors discuss the implications of these arrangements, including questions about democratic norms and presidential expectations, as well as the justifications offered by former Biden aides for supporting his re-election bid despite these concerns.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the May 20, 2025 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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1-Page Summary
Evidence of Biden's Cognitive Decline
Several documented incidents have raised concerns about President Biden's cognitive abilities during public appearances. During a 2019 Iowa campaign, Biden struggled to recall the name of Mike Donilon, one of his longest-serving aides. Jake Tapper reports that Biden failed to recognize George Clooney despite their previous collaboration on Darfur issues. Additionally, his 2023 primary debate performance was marked by rambling, incoherent answers, including a puzzling statement about "beating Medicare."
Biden's Inner Circle Hiding His Decline
Alex Thompson reveals how Biden's inner circle is managing his perceived cognitive decline. According to White House officials, Biden's schedule has become increasingly restricted, with early retreats to his residence, often around 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. This scheduling appears to be a deliberate effort to limit extended interactions with staff. A senior White House official reportedly resigned over concerns about Biden's condition and his fitness for re-election. Furthermore, important economic decisions are being made exclusively by Biden, Steve Ricchetti, and Tom Donilon, notably excluding Secretary Yellen from these discussions.
Ethical and Political Implications of the Alleged "Cover-Up"
Scott Detrow highlights growing concerns about Biden's ability to effectively communicate decisions to the American public. The authors of "Original Sin" question the legitimacy of a presidency that may be concealing truths about the president's health. An ex-Biden aide defended these actions by suggesting that defeating Donald Trump was the primary goal, even if it meant Biden would subsequently "vanish" for four years. Jake Tapper criticizes this defense, noting that influential unelected advisers like Donilon and Ricchetti are making crucial decisions, potentially undermining democratic norms and presidential expectations.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Memory lapses, such as forgetting names, are common and can occur in individuals of all ages due to stress, fatigue, or other benign factors, not necessarily indicative of cognitive decline.
- Not recognizing someone, even a celebrity like George Clooney, can happen in high-pressure situations or due to the context in which the meeting occurs, which might differ from past interactions.
- Public speaking, especially in high-stakes environments like debates, can lead to moments of incoherence for many politicians, which may not be a sign of cognitive issues but rather the result of pressure, complex thought processes, or a simple slip of the tongue.
- Early retirement to one's residence does not necessarily indicate a decline; it could be a part of a structured routine aimed at maintaining the president's stamina and effectiveness.
- The management of a president's schedule and public appearances by their inner circle is standard practice and does not inherently suggest a cover-up of cognitive decline.
- Resignations from the White House can occur for a variety of reasons, including policy disagreements or personal career decisions, and are not always related to concerns about the president's fitness for office.
- The exclusion of certain officials from decision-making processes can be due to a range of strategic or administrative reasons, rather than an attempt to conceal cognitive decline.
- The ability to communicate effectively can vary based on many factors, including the complexity of the issues at hand and the communication strategies employed by the administration.
- The legitimacy of a presidency is determined by a range of factors, including but not limited to the health of the president, and is ultimately subject to the checks and balances of the political system.
- The prioritization of political goals, such as defeating an opponent in an election, is a common strategy in politics and does not necessarily imply a lack of transparency or a cover-up.
- Advisors and aides have always played significant roles in assisting elected officials with decision-making, and their influence does not automatically undermine democratic norms or presidential expectations.
Actionables
- You can enhance your memory recall by practicing association techniques, such as linking new names with familiar images or stories. For instance, if you meet someone named Mike, you might visualize a microphone (since "Mike" sounds like "mic") to help cement the name in your memory.
- Improve your ability to recognize faces by playing "guess who" games with friends using celebrity photos, focusing on those you've seen before but might not remember well. This can train your brain to pay more attention to facial features and context, potentially increasing your facial recognition skills.
- To better communicate complex ideas, practice simplifying and summarizing news articles or policies into one or two sentences for friends or family. This exercise can help you learn to distill information into its most essential points, making it easier to convey your thoughts clearly and coherently.
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Evidence of Biden's Cognitive Decline
There have been multiple occurrences documented by reporters suggesting a decline in President Biden's cognitive abilities, particularly during public speaking events and interactions.
Reporters Documented Biden Struggling to Remember Names and Communicate Policy Positions Effectively
2019 Iowa Campaign: Biden Forgets Aide Mike Donilon's Name
During a 2019 campaign swing in Iowa, President Biden struggled to remember the name of one of his closest and longest-serving aides, Mike Donilon. This incident raised concerns about his ability to recall familiar names.
Biden's 2023 Primary Debate Performance Was "Rambling" and "Awful," With Incoherent Answers
Another point of concern came during a primary debate performance in 2023, in which Biden provided what was described as a "rambling, awful non-answer" that included the puzzling statement "we finally beat Medicare," which was cited as a sign of his cognitive decline.
Biden Failed to Recognize Long-Time Acquaintance George Clooney, His Collaborator on Darfur Issues
Jake Tapper documents a revealing incident where President Biden failed to recognize George C ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Evidence of Biden's Cognitive Decline
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Public figures, especially those of advanced age, can occasionally forget names or details, which does not necessarily indicate cognitive decline.
- Public speaking, particularly in high-pressure situations like debates, can lead to moments where individuals may not communicate as effectively as they would like, which can happen to anyone.
- Recognizing someone out of context can be challenging for many people, and not recognizing someone immediately does not necessarily reflect on one's cognitive abilities.
- The stress and workload of the presidency are immense, and occasional lapses or gaffes can occur without indicating a broader issue with cognitive abilities.
- Politicians are often subject to ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your memory retention by practicing name recall with flashcards featuring faces and names of acquaintances, celebrities, and historical figures. This exercise mimics the challenge of remembering names under pressure, similar to public figures, and can improve your ability to quickly recall information when needed.
- Engage in structured debates with friends or family on current events to sharpen your articulation and argumentation skills. By setting up timed rounds and specific topics, you'll train yourself to communicate thoughts coherently and concisely, reducing the likelihood of rambling.
- Create a personal "policy ...
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Biden's Inner Circle Hiding His Decline
Alex Thompson reveals concerns surrounding President Biden's cognitive abilities and how his inner circle is managing his interactions and decision-making processes.
Biden's Advisors and Family Limited Interactions to Shield Him as Cognitive Abilities Declined
There are reports that President Biden is being insulated from many administration members by his advisors and family to shield his perceived cognitive decline. His schedule has become noticeably tighter, with indications that he retreats to his residence early, often going up for dinner around 4 or 4:30 p.m.
White House Schedule Tighter, Biden Retreats Early to Residence, Away From Observing Staffers
Five White House officials confirmed that they would not see Biden after a certain time because he retired to his residence very early. This scheduling seems to be a deliberate effort to avoid staffers observing a "non-functioning Biden," as the routine aims to limit extended interactions.
Senior White House Official Resigned Over Biden Re-election Doubts
A senior White House official reportedly resigned over frustrations related to Biden's condition, reflecting a belief that Biden should not run for reelection because of these issues. The departure of this offic ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Biden's Inner Circle Hiding His Decline
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The early retirement to his residence could be a matter of personal discipline and a structured routine rather than a sign of cognitive decline.
- Tightening the President's schedule could be a strategic move to ensure he is well-rested and prepared for the most critical tasks and decisions.
- Not seeing Biden after a certain time does not necessarily indicate a problem; it could reflect a respect for personal boundaries and work-life balance.
- The resignation of a senior White House official may be due to personal or professional reasons unrelated to the President's cognitive abilities.
- Excluding certain secretaries from specific economic decisions could be a m ...
Actionables
- You can analyze leadership dynamics by observing your workplace leaders' availability and decision-making patterns. Look for patterns such as which leaders are accessible at what times and who is involved in critical decisions. This can give you insight into the power structures and decision-making processes within your organization.
- Enhance your political awareness by tracking the public schedules and appearances of local politicians. Note any changes in their patterns, such as reduced public appearances or delegation of responsibilities, to better understand their leadership style and possibly predict political shifts.
- Develop a habit of reading betwee ...
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Ethical and Political Implications of the Alleged "Cover-Up"
The legitimacy of President Biden's term has come into question due to alleged efforts to conceal his cognitive decline, sparking debates over ethical and democratic principles.
Efforts to Conceal Biden's Decline Raise Ethical, Democratic Concerns
Biden Struggles to Communicate Decisions To Americans
Scott Detrow brings to light critiques about Biden's capability to communicate effectively in public. These concerns form part of the larger conversation centered on how effectively President Biden is able to inform the American populace of his decisions and policies.
Authors Question a Presidency's Legitimacy Due to Covering Up Cognitive Decline, as Voters Expect to Elect Both the President and Their Team
Investigations as detailed in the book "Original Sin" illuminate what the authors perceive as a cover-up, questioning the honesty of a presidency if its foundation lies in concealed truths about the president's health. The authors explore this perceived conflict between loyalty to Joe Biden and loyalty to the American democratic process.
Ex-biden Aide Defends "Cover-Up," Claiming Biden Needed Only to Win, Then Vanish For Four Years, Undermining Democratic Norms
An ex-Biden aide has controversially defended the actions taken to obscure any cognitive decline by claiming that the overriding need was to defeat Donald Trump. The implication that Biden could win the election and subsequently "vanish" for four years, doing just enough to demonstrate continuity of life and leadership, suggests a willingness to subvert democratic norms.
The concerns raised by Tapper delve into the actions of Donilon and Ricchetti, who, though ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Ethical and Political Implications of the Alleged "Cover-Up"
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The ability to communicate effectively is important, but it is not the sole measure of a president's effectiveness; policy outcomes and actions can also be significant indicators of presidential competence.
- Allegations of a cover-up need to be substantiated with clear evidence; without such evidence, they remain speculative and potentially politically motivated.
- The concept of a president "vanishing" after an election is hyperbolic; even if public appearances are limited, the president may still be actively engaged in governance behind the scenes.
- Advisors and aides have always played significant roles in administrations, and their influence does not necessarily undermine the democratic process, as long as the elected president remains the decision-maker.
- Cognitive decline is a sensitive issue, and discussions around it should be handled with care to avoid ageism and respect medical privacy. ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking by analyzing political speeches for clarity and coherence, noting where messages could be more transparent or where information might be missing. Start by watching a recent address or press conference, then write down points that seem unclear or incomplete. Discuss these with friends or on social media to see if others share your perspective and to understand different viewpoints.
- Develop a habit of fact-checking statements made by public figures to foster a culture of accountability. Whenever you hear a claim that raises questions, use reputable fact-checking websites to verify its accuracy. Share your findings with your network to encourage informed discussions and help prevent the spread of misinformation.
- Encourage ethical decision-making in your ...
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