An explosive report reveals troubling details about the White House's alleged efforts to conceal President Joe Biden's cognitive state throughout his term.
According to Daily Mail, the Biden administration engaged in an extensive cover-up to hide the president's diminishing mental condition from the public, including hiring voice coaches and rearranging his schedule around "bad days."
The Wall Street Journal investigation exposed how Biden's team implemented various strategies to manage his public appearances and responsibilities. These included employing vocal coaches to improve his wavering voice, delegating presidential duties to other officials, and carefully controlling his interactions with Cabinet members.
Biden's staff reportedly took extraordinary measures to shield him from public scrutiny. They canceled important national security meetings on his "bad days" and assigned senior advisers like Steve Ricchetti, Jake Sullivan, and Lael Brainard to fulfill roles typically handled by the president. The protective circle around Biden intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, using health protocols as additional cover to limit his exposure.
A Democratic strategist confirmed to investigators that influence over Biden became concentrated among a small group of non-public-facing advisers. This inner circle, known as the "Biden whisperers," included Bruce Reed, Steve Ricchetti, and Mike Donilon, who developed significant control over presidential decisions.
Press aides were instructed to omit negative stories about the president from news compilations, while staff members provided detailed instruction cards for basic activities like walking, sitting, and looking at specific directions during events.
The administration's efforts to conceal Biden's condition ultimately failed after his debate with Donald Trump in June 2024. During the televised event, Biden's performance was marked by numerous gaffes, fumbles, and apparent confusion, leading to widespread concern about his fitness for office.
A source close to the administration told The Wall Street Journal about the intense "hand-holding" provided by Biden's staff. As quoted by the source: "They body him to such a high degree."
The situation reached a critical point when Biden struggled to remember details during an interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. The president reportedly could not repeat lines fed to him by his staff during preparation sessions.
The concealment strategy ultimately proved unsuccessful, leading to Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. After the disastrous debate performance in June, both the public and senior Democrats called for him to end his reelection campaign.
Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris following his withdrawal, but she was ultimately defeated by Donald Trump in the November 5 election. The administration's final days were marked by controversy, including Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter, which drew criticism from his own party members.
These actions, combined with the revealed cover-up, contributed to Biden's historically low approval ratings as he prepared to leave office.
The wall of secrecy surrounding President Biden's cognitive decline began crumbling on his first day in office, as revealed by a comprehensive Wall Street Journal investigation. The administration's elaborate efforts included hiring voice coaches, limiting public appearances, and delegating presidential duties to senior staff members.The revelations have sparked intense debate about transparency in government and the roles of presidential advisers in managing executive leadership.
