CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson’s explosive book detailing President Biden’s alleged cognitive decline has ignited a Hollywood bidding war while drawing fierce criticism from those who accuse Tapper of profiting from information he previously helped conceal.
At a Glance
- Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s book “Original Sin” about Biden’s cognitive decline will be released May 20
- The explosive exposé is based on over 200 interviews with Democratic insiders
- Hollywood studios are engaged in a bidding war for screen rights to the controversial book
- Critics accuse Tapper of hypocrisy for now profiting from Biden’s decline after allegedly defending him
- The book claims White House aides considered using a wheelchair for Biden and took steps to prevent public falls
Hollywood Bidding War Erupts Over Biden Exposé
A fierce competition is unfolding in Hollywood for the screen rights to “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” a political exposé by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson. Set for release on May 20, the book has already generated substantial industry interest, with major talent agencies orchestrating a quiet but intense bidding process. Creative Artists Agency represents Tapper while William Morris Endeavor advocates for Thompson in negotiations that could potentially turn this political bombshell into a major screen production.
The book, based on interviews with over 200 insiders including top Democratic officials, purportedly details President Biden’s mental decline and efforts by the White House to conceal his condition from the American public. Among its explosive claims are allegations that senior White House aides considered using a wheelchair for the president and implemented measures to prevent him from falling in public—revelations that have intensified scrutiny of the administration’s transparency and raised questions about who knew what and when.
Explosive Revelations About Presidential Decline
According to pre-release information, “Original Sin” contains numerous specific instances documenting Biden’s alleged cognitive difficulties. One particularly notable incident describes Biden reportedly failing to recognize Hollywood star George Clooney at a fundraising event. The book apparently details a pattern of concerning behavior that was systematically hidden from public view, with cooperation from various officials and possibly media figures, raising serious questions about presidential fitness and the mechanisms in place to shield a commander-in-chief experiencing decline.
The authors maintain they conducted these extensive interviews in the post-election period when sources were more willing to speak candidly about the administration. The timing of these revelations has led many to question why this information is only becoming public now, rather than when voters were making their decisions about Biden’s fitness for office during his presidency.
Accusations of Hypocrisy and Media Complicity
Tapper has faced significant backlash since news of the book broke, with critics labeling him a hypocrite for potentially profiting from Biden’s decline after what they characterize as years of defending or downplaying the president’s condition. Fox News commentators John Roberts and Joe Concha have been particularly vocal in their criticism, suggesting Tapper was part of a “media cabal” that protected Biden from scrutiny about his cognitive abilities while he was in office.
CNN has defended Tapper amid the growing controversy. A network spokesperson issued a statement emphasizing Tapper’s journalistic credentials: “Jake Tapper is a veteran journalist whose tenacious and thorough reporting has held those in power to account on both sides of the aisle for decades.” The spokesperson further asserted that Tapper had indeed raised questions about Biden’s age and mental acuity throughout his presidency, contrary to claims that he helped conceal these concerns.
The Timing Question
The timing of “Original Sin” has become a central point of contention in the debate surrounding the book. Critics question why Tapper and Thompson are only now revealing the full extent of Biden’s alleged cognitive issues and the administration’s efforts to conceal them. Some argue that journalists had a responsibility to fully inform voters about the president’s condition while he was in office, rather than waiting until after his departure to release these revelations in book form.
Tapper has responded to this criticism on his CNN program, stating that he and Thompson “have spent the last several months talking to more than 200 insiders, officials, and donors — people who were more willing to talk post-election — to explain the last couple of years in politics and how we, as a country, got here.” This explanation has done little to quiet his detractors, who continue to question the ethics of journalism that appears to withhold crucial information from the public until it can be monetized through book deals and potential film adaptations.
