In a telling episode of White House panic, Biden call chaos erupted after former President Joe Biden unexpectedly answered a journalist’s phone call—twice. According to the new book 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, by journalists Tyler Pager, Josh Dawsey, and Isaac Arnsdorf, Biden’s rogue conversation with Pager at the Washington Post prompted an immediate clampdown by his aides.
The 82-year-old former president spoke openly with Pager in March, saying he had a “very negative” view of President Donald Trump’s second term and felt “no” regret about dropping out of the 2024 race. Biden even expressed openness to participating in the book.
But his handlers were not pleased. The book reveals Biden aides “repeatedly called and texted” Pager after the first call. Following the second call, they blocked the reporter and had Biden’s number disconnected. Two days later, Biden’s voicemail was replaced with a generic Verizon message: “The number you dialed has been changed, disconnected, or is no longer in service.”
This Biden call episode reinforces longstanding concerns about the president’s cognitive decline and the White House’s aggressive strategy to shield him from unscripted moments. From cue cards instructing him to “sit” to aides cutting press feeds mid-sentence, the Biden team has made containment a priority.
The media often ignores these red flags. But this time, Biden’s own words—and his team’s frantic response—say it all.
