Once a vocal opponent of any discussions regarding President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities, CNN’s Jake Tapper appears to be shifting his stance now that he has a new book to promote. It seems that the age-old adage, “follow the money,” applies here, as Tapper is now keen on capitalizing from the very cover-up he previously criticized alongside his fellow journalists.
His latest work, co-authored with Axios political journalist Alex Thompson, is provocatively titled Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, which hit shelves in May.
Within the pages of this book, it is revealed that Jill Biden, often referred to as “Dr. B” by her inner circle, played a significant role in downplaying the realities of her husband’s mental decline. The narrative suggests that she was a staunch advocate for his re-election, actively engaging in campaign strategies and decisions.
According to Tapper and Thompson, Jill Biden was not merely a supportive spouse; she took a hands-on approach by influencing hiring decisions and meticulously reviewing campaign advertisements prior to their release. Her involvement extended to monitoring job interviews for White House aides, where she reportedly kept a tally of their loyalty to her husband.
The White House’s reference to Jill Biden’s “spousal programming” during foreign visits raised eyebrows among some national security officials, who found her requests for talking points unusual. The authors also note that Jill was particularly defensive when questions arose about her husband’s age and capabilities.
After a pivotal debate performance in the summer of 2024, reports from The Associated Press indicated that both Jill and Hunter Biden were urging the president to press on with his re-election campaign. They questioned how well he had been prepared by his staff and contemplated if they could have optimized his readiness.
Post-debate, the authors claim that Jill experienced considerable frustration directed at fellow Democrats, whom she believed were beginning to sideline her husband.
