A new exposé reveals that President Joe Biden‘s inner circle allegedly intended to minimize his public appearances during a potential second term, effectively managing the presidency behind the scenes. According to the book Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, a senior Biden aide stated that after securing re-election, Biden could “disappear for four years” and only needed to “show proof of life” occasionally.
The book portrays a small group of unelected aides, including Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Bruce Reed, First Lady Jill Biden, and Hunter Biden, as the de facto decision-makers within the White House, often excluding cabinet members from key decisions. This group, referred to as the “Politburo,” is alleged to have shielded the president from public scrutiny to maintain the administration’s image.
Tapper and Thompson’s reporting suggests that concerns about Biden’s cognitive and physical health were prevalent among insiders. The book details instances where Biden reportedly forgot the names of close advisers and exhibited signs of physical decline, leading to discussions about using a wheelchair and limiting his public engagements.
The revelations have sparked criticism regarding transparency and the influence of unelected individuals in American governance. While some aides justified their actions by citing the perceived threat of a Donald Trump presidency, the alleged concealment of Biden’s health issues raises questions about the democratic process and the electorate’s right to be informed.
