() Former President Joe Biden announced his prostate cancer diagnosis just days before a book was released detailing an alleged cover-up regarding Biden’s health and mental decline.
“Original Sin,” co-authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, hit shelves Tuesday. Excerpts from the book include explosive claims that Biden’s aides covered up signs of cognitive decline during his presidency and reelection bid including an incident in which Biden allegedly didn’t recognize George Clooney at a fundraising event despite having known him for years.
The book claims Biden relied on teleprompters and note cards, even in private Cabinet meetings, and that staff used multiple cameras to edit out mistakes or cover flubs on videos. It also claims aides considered the possibility of Biden needing a wheelchair if he were reelected.
‘History will reward the truth’: Naomi Biden
Some members of the Biden family have slammed the book’s release, calling it “political smut,” and have denied the allegations.
Naomi Biden, the former president’s granddaughter, slammed the book on social media and said it “relies on unnamed, anonymous sources pushing a self-serving false narrative that absolves them of any responsibility for our current national nightmare.”
“History will reward the truth,” she said.
In a recent appearance on ABC’s “The View,” both Biden and former first lady Jill Biden denied reporting that the former president’s cognitive abilities drastically declined in his final year in office.
“They are wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that,” Biden said.
“The people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us,” Jill Biden added. “They didn’t see how hard Joe worked every single day.”
Criticism over handling of Biden’s health
While offering support to his former political rival, President Donald Trump questioned the timing and transparency of the announcement.
“I think it’s very sad. I’m surprised that the public wasn’t notified a long time ago,” Trump said. “It’s a very, very sad situation, and I feel very badly about it, and I think people should try and find out what happened.”
Vice President JD Vance also raised concerns about the public’s lack of information, blaming Biden’s inner circle more than Biden himself.
