Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to specify when he became aware of President Joe Biden’s declining health, despite recent disclosures from a forthcoming book detailing efforts to conceal Biden’s condition. In a May 13, 2025, interview with CNN’s Kasie Hunt, Schumer deflected questions regarding his knowledge of Biden’s fitness to serve, stating, “We’re looking forward,” and redirecting the conversation to other political matters.
The book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, authored by CNN journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, alleges that senior Democratic officials, including Schumer, were aware of Biden’s deteriorating condition well before his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. The book claims that Schumer met with Biden in Rehoboth Beach after a June 2024 debate, warning him that persisting in the race could tarnish his legacy.
Despite these assertions, Schumer has publicly maintained support for Biden, previously praising his legislative accomplishments and character. In a January 2025 appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Schumer denied allegations that Democrats misled the public about Biden’s cognitive abilities, describing him as a “great guy” and a “patriot.”
The revelations have intensified scrutiny over the Democratic Party’s handling of Biden’s health issues and the transparency of its leadership. As questions persist, Schumer’s reluctance to address the timeline of his awareness continues to draw criticism from political observers and constituents alike.
