A bombshell report reveals extensive efforts to conceal President Joe Biden's cognitive state throughout his presidency, involving multiple high-level officials and strategic maneuvers.
According to Daily Mail, the White House orchestrated a comprehensive strategy to hide Biden's diminishing mental capabilities from day one of his presidency, including hiring a voice coach and manipulating his schedule around "good days and bad days."
The Wall Street Journal's explosive investigation uncovered that Biden's team implemented various measures to shield his condition from public view. These included canceling important national security meetings, limiting cabinet member interactions, and deploying senior advisers to fulfill presidential duties. The administration also allegedly instructed press aides to exclude negative coverage about the president from news compilations.
A vocal coach was brought in at the recommendation of Hollywood studio mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg to address Biden's wavering voice. The president's team developed elaborate systems to manage his public appearances, including detailed instruction cards for basic movements and positioning. Staff members often had to repeat cues multiple times during events.
Key officials like counselor Steve Ricchetti, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and National Economic Council head Lael Brainard were strategically positioned to handle responsibilities typically managed by the president. Sources described an intense level of "hand-holding" by a small group of close aides who maintained constant proximity to Biden.
The protective measures intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, though observers noted this was also used as cover to minimize opportunities for public gaffes and physical missteps. The administration's careful orchestration extended to managing comparisons between the president and First Lady Jill Biden, whose energetic schedule sometimes highlighted her husband's slower pace.
Democratic Congressman Adam Smith's experience exemplified the administration's isolation of Biden from key political figures. As chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Smith struggled to communicate directly with the president regarding crucial concerns about the Afghanistan withdrawal plan in 2021.
The consequences became evident when 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans died in the chaotic evacuation. After Smith publicly criticized the handling of the situation, he received only one personal call from Biden during the entire four-year term, following an apology for the withdrawal's execution.
Special Counsel Robert Hur's assessment of Biden's condition was particularly revealing, as noted in his report: "Biden would likely present himself to a jury as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."
The administration's elaborate concealment efforts ultimately proved insufficient during Biden's crucial debate with Donald Trump in late June 2024. The president's performance was marked by numerous gaffes and confused responses, leading to widespread calls from within the Democratic Party for him to end his reelection campaign.
The pressure culminated in Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. The subsequent election saw Trump emerge victorious over Harris on November 5.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates defended Biden's presidency, emphasizing his legislative achievements and focus on middle-class policies. However, many within his own party have criticized him for prolonging his political career at the expense of Democratic prospects for maintaining control of the White House.
The extensive efforts to conceal President Biden's declining cognitive state throughout his term have now been fully exposed through comprehensive investigation and documentation. The White House employed multiple strategies, from hiring voice coaches to manipulating schedules and limiting access, in an attempt to maintain the appearance of presidential competence. The administration's elaborate concealment strategy, while temporarily effective, ultimately failed to prevent the public from recognizing the extent of the president's cognitive decline.
