Joe Biden’s physical decline sparked secret talks among aides about wheelchair use, exposing a cover-up of his health struggles during his tenure in the White House.
In 2023 and 2024, Biden worsening spinal condition raised alarms among his inner circle, who feared his frailty could derail his political ambitions, and a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson lays bare these concerns, drawing from interviews with over 200 Democratic insiders, as Axios reports.
Biden’s health issues became undeniable as his spine deteriorated significantly. Advisers privately debated whether he might need a wheelchair if he continued his presidency. However, they viewed such a move as political suicide during his re-election campaign against Donald Trump.
The book, titled Original Sin set for release on May 20, details these hushed discussions. It reveals how Biden’s team worked tirelessly to mask his physical limitations from the public. The authors note that aides believed transparency about his condition would weaken his campaign.
A pivotal moment came in June 2023 when Biden tripped over a sandbag at the Air Force Academy. This incident amplified fears among aides that another fall could force him into a wheelchair. His physician, Kevin O’Connor, privately warned that a serious fall might lead to a difficult recovery.
O’Connor had long expressed concerns about the presidency’s toll on Biden’s health. He frequently clashed with political staff, urging them to build more rest into the president’s schedule. Despite these warnings, Biden and his team pressed forward with his re-election bid.
To prevent further incidents, aides implemented strict precautions. They shortened Biden’s walking paths, insisted on handrails, and had him wear sneakers more often. Visual briefings were adjusted to guide his every step with precision.
Biden’s halting walk was partly attributed to a foot fracture from November 2020. Aides claimed he resisted wearing a walking boot consistently, though O’Connor reported the fracture had healed by early 2021. Public health summaries downplayed the issue, citing mild arthritis but emphasizing spinal degeneration as the primary cause.
O’Connor’s public reports maintained that Biden’s spinal arthritis required no special treatment. An unidentified Biden spokesperson insisted the condition was far from severe. They argued that physical changes were merely signs of aging, not evidence of mental decline.
Despite these assurances, Biden’s physical struggles were impossible to ignore. His team’s efforts to manage his movements grew increasingly elaborate. Senior White House officials, along with Biden’s family, remained committed to his campaign despite the mounting challenges.
The turning point came during Biden’s June 2024 debate against Donald Trump. His disastrous performance shocked Democratic Party leaders, who saw it as confirmation of his decline. The debate exposed vulnerabilities that aides had worked to conceal. Three weeks later, Biden ended his re-election bid. He endorsed Vice President Harris as the Democratic Party nominee, stepping away from the race amid intense pressure from party leaders alarmed by his public struggles.
Original Sin quotes the authors stating that Biden’s deterioration was so severe that wheelchair discussions were unavoidable. However, aides delayed any such move until after the election to avoid political fallout. The book paints a picture of a team grappling with an untenable situation.
A Biden spokesperson pushed back at the time, claiming his medical exams showed no worsening condition. They emphasized that Biden was transparent about his health challenges. The spokesperson argued that his physical changes did not impair his leadership ability.
The same spokesperson defended Biden’s mental sharpness, asserting that aging does not equate to incapacity. They challenged critics to point to any instance in which Biden failed to perform his duties. According to them, Biden’s record proves he was an effective president.
Yet, the revelations in Original Sin raise troubling questions about transparency. For a nation built on trust in its leaders, the efforts to hide Biden’s decline undermine confidence. The book serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political ambition.
