CNN’s Jake Tapper just admitted he missed the boat on Joe Biden’s health decline. On The Megyn Kelly Show, promoting his book *Original Sin*, he faced a grilling that exposed his journalistic blind spots. Conservatives have long suspected a cover-up, and Tapper’s confession fuels that fire.
Tapper’s book, co-authored with Axios’ Alex Thompson, claims Biden’s inner circle hid his deteriorating condition from the public, donors, and even cabinet members, Newsweek reported. This bombshell dropped during a heated May 20, 2025, interview with Megyn Kelly, who didn’t hold back. It’s a stark reminder that truth often hides behind loyalty.
In 2020, Tapper pressed Biden to release his health records, a promise the then-candidate conveniently ignored. By October 2022, after Biden’s bizarre “Where’s Jackie?” moment—asking for the late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski—Tapper sat across from him and stayed silent on health concerns. Actions, or lack thereof, speak louder than words.
Kelly hammered Tapper for not probing Biden’s stumbles, slurred speech, and memory lapses, like forgetting Walorski’s death despite issuing condolences. Tapper admitted he asked about age but avoided the hard-hitting health questions. Dodging the obvious doesn’t age well in journalism.
“You didn’t follow up,” Kelly charged, noting Tapper’s failure to press Biden after the Walorski gaffe. Tapper owned it, saying, “I feel tremendous humility about my coverage.” Humility’s a start, but conservatives wonder why it took so long.
Tapper’s book, topping Amazon’s bestseller list, leans on over 200 post-election interviews with insiders. They justified concealing Biden’s condition, claiming Trump was an “existential threat” only Biden could defeat. Fear of one man shouldn’t trump public transparency.
Once Trump was out of the picture, Biden’s team spilled the beans to Tapper and Thompson. “They were remarkably open,” Tapper said, revealing how aides misled even each other. Loyalty to a cause can blind even the sharpest minds.
Biden’s health saga took a darker turn on May 18, 2025, when he announced aggressive prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. Aides deny any cover-up, but the timing raises eyebrows. The public deserves clarity, not convenient denials.
Back in 2020, Tapper clashed with Lara Trump, who raised early alarms about Biden’s cognitive health. He dismissed her on air, only to call her later, admitting, “You were right.” Swallowing pride is tough, but truth doesn’t care about egos.
“Her comments have aged well. My comments have aged poorly,” Tapper confessed about Lara Trump’s warnings. Conservatives nod, knowing the “right-wing pundits” Kelly referenced saw what many ignored. Vindication feels good, but accountability matters more.
Kelly didn’t let up, accusing Tapper of “running cover” for Biden’s mental acuity issues. “You barely covered it,” she said, pointing to his aggressive reporting elsewhere but silence on health. Selective focus in journalism can skew the whole story.
Tapper moderated a June 27, 2024, debate between Biden and Trump, where Biden’s struggles were undeniable. Yet, his book suggests he only grasped the cover-up’s depth afterward. Hindsight’s 20/20, but foresight saves trust.
Inspired by Toni Morrison’s call to write the book you want to read, *Original Sin* aims to unpack Biden’s decline. Tapper and Thompson’s 200-plus interviews paint a damning picture of secrecy. The public deserved better from both Biden’s team and the press.
David Axelrod, a seasoned Obama strategist, recently demanded answers from Biden’s 2024 decision-makers. The Democrats’ loss, tied partly to Biden’s re-election bid despite health concerns, stings. Poor choices in leadership ripple far and wide.
Biden’s exit from the 2024 race in July 2024 handed the reins to Kamala Harris, but the damage was done. Tapper’s mea culpa and book might spark debate, but conservatives argue the media’s complicity can’t be undone. Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild.
