Biden rejects speculations about cognitive impairment during his term
Political Q&A: Joe Biden Addresses Cognitive Decline Allegations
In an interview on ABC's "The View," former President Joe Biden defended himself against claims of cognitive decline during his time in the White House, dismissing them as unfounded.
"Those allegations are hogwash," Biden asserted. He was responding to "deeply sourced" publications suggesting a sharp decline in his last year as president. "There's no basis for that," he emphasized.
Host Whoopi Goldberg brought up Biden's turbulent debate with Donald Trump in June, calling it a "ruff night." Although she didn't delve into the specifics, Biden agreed that some in the party may have oversold the fiasco.
"Sure, we had a rough debate. But let's not forget, we were still winning the primary. The Democratic Party at large wasn't swayed, but the Democratic leadership and some key contributors were," Biden explained. He added that he left his campaign in capable hands when he handed the reins to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Goldberg also asked about allegations in a recent book suggesting that First Lady Jill Biden cobbled Joe Biden away from the public eye to shield his frailties. However, Jill Biden denied such claims, calling them hurtful and untrue.
"I was around Joe all day, not sequestering him somewhere. He was active and engaged," Jill Biden said.
As for the rumors of his cognitive decline, Biden contended that the majority of Democrats stood by him. However, polls unveiled years prior suggested otherwise, with Democrats airing concerns about his age and expressing a desire for a change in candidate.
In light of recent criticism, Biden has beefed up his team, welcoming Chris Meagher, who previously worked for Pete Buttigieg. Meagher has been at the forefront of the campaign's rebuttal when it comes to accusations about Biden's mental abilities.
"Accusing an elderly president of cognitive decline is not a valid criticism. There's no evidence supporting such assertions," Meagher posted on Twitter.
As for the 2024 election, Biden's intentions are still unclear, but his fundraising capabilities have dwindled since the roaring 2020 campaign. With donors fleeing, Biden expressed concern about dividing the party.
In April, Biden made his first public appearance since leaving the presidency, criticizing Trump's policies and taking jabs at the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
"Trump's ideology is not what this country needs," Biden declared. On a lighter note, he quipped, "I'm not as obsessed with Elon Musk as Trump is."
When asked about Trump's fixation on him and blaming him for everything, Biden replied simply, "I beat him."
Insights: The book "Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House" by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes provides an in-depth look at Biden's alleged cognitive decline and its impact on his presidency and political career. The book reports on Biden's cognitive decline and confusion, details concerns about his mental abilities before the critical 2020 debate, and offers insights into the strategic planning by top aides around potential outcomes such as Biden's death in office. The authors also portray Biden's actions and decline as damaging relationships within the Democratic Party.
- During an interview on ABC's "The View," Chris Meagher, a new member of Joe Biden's team, asserted that accusations of Biden's cognitive decline lack evidence.
- In a book titled "Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House," allegations suggest that Jill Biden shielded Joe Biden from the public to protect him from his perceived frailties, which Jill Biden vehemently denied.
- Although Joe Biden's intentions for the 2024 election remain unclear, his fundraising capabilities have decreased significantly since the robust 2020 campaign, causing concern about potential party division.
