The White House asserts Biden remains capable and effective despite claims of his physical deterioration.
**Biden Team Defends President Against Allegations of Physical Decline**
**Biden Team Defends President Against Allegations of Physical Decline**
Aides respond to claims in a forthcoming book suggesting a cover-up of the president's health during the 2024 campaign.
In response to a soon-to-be-released book entitled "Original Sin," aides to President Joe Biden have pushed back against allegations that his administration concealed his declining health during the 2024 presidential election campaign. The book, authored by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson, contends that Biden’s physical state was so precarious that there were discussions about potentially placing him in a wheelchair. Biden, now 82, has been characterized as showing signs of deterioration, a claim echoed by various anonymous sources cited in the book.
A spokesperson for Biden emphasized, "Evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity," reaffirming confidence in the president’s leadership abilities. The book, set to hit shelves on May 20, reveals that internal conversations among aides contemplated how to manage Biden's mobility issues, particularly after he suffered a foot fracture in 2020, which exacerbated his walk.
The narrative comes in the wake of Biden’s abrupt end to his re-election campaign last July following a challenging debate against Republican contender Donald Trump. Critics within the Democratic Party have pointed fingers at Biden for finishing the race too late, which left Vice-President Kamala Harris in a tight spot with limited time before the election.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Biden maintained that his withdrawal from the race sooner wouldn't have made a noticeable difference. Meanwhile, those close to the campaign indicated that the president’s health had forced aides to limit his mobility and employ strategic measures to assist him.
Further allegations in "Original Sin" include moments where Biden reportedly struggled to recognize notable figures, such as actor George Clooney, and had difficulty recalling the names of senior advisers. Clooney, who hosted a fundraiser for Biden, expressed concerns over Biden's ability to lead, publicly withdrawing his support in a widely circulated opinion piece.
As the debate regarding Biden's mental and physical fitness heats up, aides continue to assert that the president remains capable of fulfilling his responsibilities, urging observers to find concrete examples of deficiencies impacting Biden's presidential duties.
A spokesperson for Biden emphasized, "Evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity," reaffirming confidence in the president’s leadership abilities. The book, set to hit shelves on May 20, reveals that internal conversations among aides contemplated how to manage Biden's mobility issues, particularly after he suffered a foot fracture in 2020, which exacerbated his walk.
The narrative comes in the wake of Biden’s abrupt end to his re-election campaign last July following a challenging debate against Republican contender Donald Trump. Critics within the Democratic Party have pointed fingers at Biden for finishing the race too late, which left Vice-President Kamala Harris in a tight spot with limited time before the election.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Biden maintained that his withdrawal from the race sooner wouldn't have made a noticeable difference. Meanwhile, those close to the campaign indicated that the president’s health had forced aides to limit his mobility and employ strategic measures to assist him.
Further allegations in "Original Sin" include moments where Biden reportedly struggled to recognize notable figures, such as actor George Clooney, and had difficulty recalling the names of senior advisers. Clooney, who hosted a fundraiser for Biden, expressed concerns over Biden's ability to lead, publicly withdrawing his support in a widely circulated opinion piece.
As the debate regarding Biden's mental and physical fitness heats up, aides continue to assert that the president remains capable of fulfilling his responsibilities, urging observers to find concrete examples of deficiencies impacting Biden's presidential duties.
