A new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson alleges Democratic party officials knowingly concealed President Biden’s declining cognitive state during his re-election campaign.
At a Glance
- “Original Sin” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson claims Biden’s 2024 campaign was marked by deliberate efforts to hide his cognitive decline
- The book alleges Biden’s team controlled public appearances and kept donors and political figures uninformed about his condition
- Biden’s physicians reportedly discussed his need for a wheelchair due to spinal arthritis—information kept secret before the election
- Critics argue media outlets were complicit in covering up Biden’s health issues to avoid benefiting Donald Trump
- The authors interviewed approximately 200 insiders to compile their account
Explosive Allegations in “Original Sin”
A highly anticipated book titled “Original Sin” by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and journalist Alex Thompson is set to send shockwaves through Washington when released next Tuesday. The work presents what the authors describe as evidence that President Biden’s re-election campaign deliberately concealed his deteriorating cognitive condition from the American public. According to pre-release information, the book details how Biden’s public appearances were tightly controlled while his aides managed increasing signs of exhaustion and confusion.
The authors conducted interviews with approximately 200 insiders to compile their account, writing that some sources “may never acknowledge speaking to us but all of whom know the truth within these pages.” The narrative specifically points to Biden’s decision to run for re-election as the “original sin” that set in motion a chain of events culminating in what they characterize as a cover-up regarding the president’s true health status.
— @amuse (@amuse) May 9, 2025
Medical Concerns Kept from Public View
One of the book’s most striking revelations concerns discussions among Biden’s medical team about his need for a wheelchair. According to leaked excerpts, Biden’s physicians had conversations about the president requiring a wheelchair due to spinal arthritis—information that was deliberately kept from voters before the election. These claims align with observations from many who noted Biden’s increasingly limited public schedule and carefully managed appearances during the campaign.
“The original sin of Election 2024 was Biden’s decision to run for re-election — followed by aggressive efforts to hide his cognitive diminishment.”, said Tapper and Thompson.
The book reportedly details how first lady Jill Biden and other close advisers pushed for the president’s re-election despite clear signs of physical and mental decline. This inner circle is portrayed as creating a protective bubble around Biden, limiting access and controlling information flow about his condition. The authors suggest this approach extended beyond normal political message discipline into deliberate deception of the American public.
Internal Democratic Backlash
Not all Democrats remained silent about their concerns, according to the book. Tapper and Thompson quote one prominent Democratic strategist who offered a scathing assessment: “It was an abomination. He stole an election from the Democratic Party; he stole it from the American people.” This statement reflects growing internal frustration that party leaders prioritized winning over transparency about Biden’s fitness for office.
“TAPPER: Well, Alex Thompson and I were on the case, as were lots of other reporters, trying to figure out what was going on behind the scenes. But the bottom line is the White House was lying not only to the press, not only to the public, but they were lying to members of their own cabinet. They were lying to White House staffers. They were lying to Democratic members of Congress, to donors about how bad things had gotten.”, said Jake Tapper.
The book suggests the narrative culminated in the first presidential debate of 2024, where Biden’s performance brought his fragility into stark relief against Donald Trump’s aggressive presence. Following that debate, internal concerns reportedly intensified, though public messaging from Democratic officials remained supportive of the president. The authors argue that fear of a second Trump term led many Democrats to rationalize continued support for Biden despite private doubts about his capabilities.
Media’s Role Questioned
Tapper’s promotion of the book has raised questions about the media’s role in addressing Biden’s condition during the campaign. During a CNN interview about the book, Tapper claimed the White House kept reporters in the dark about Biden’s true condition. This assertion has drawn criticism from conservatives who argue that signs of Biden’s decline were visible to anyone paying attention, suggesting media outlets were willfully blind to avoid helping Trump.
Critics have pointed to the timing of these revelations, questioning why this information wasn’t more aggressively pursued before the election. Some suggest that mainstream media organizations are now attempting to address issues they previously downplayed or ignored. The book’s publication has reignited debate about the responsibilities of journalists covering presidential candidates and the extent to which health concerns should be investigated and reported.
