Original Sin
President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again
By: Jake Tapper, Alex Thompson
About This Book
From two of America’s most respected journalists, an unflinching and explosive reckoning with one of the most fateful decisions in American political history: Joe Biden’s run for reelection despite evidence of his serious decline—amid desperate efforts to hide the extent of that deterioration In Greek tragedy, the protagonist’s effort to avoid his fate is what seals his fate. In 2024, American politics became a Greek tragedy. Joe Biden launched his successful 2020 bid for the White House with the stated goal of saving the nation from a second Trump presidential term. He, his family, and his senior aides were so convinced that only he could beat Trump again, they lied to themselves, allies, and the public about his condition and limitations. At his debate with Trump on June 27, 2024, the consequences of that deception were exposed to the world. It was shocking and upsetting. Now the full, unsettling truth is being told for the first time. Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson take us behind closed doors and into private conversations between the heaviest of hitters, revealing how big the problem was and how many people knew about it. From White House staffers at the highest to lowest levels, to leaders of Congress and the Cabinet, from governors to donors and Hollywood players, the truth is finally being told. What you will learn makes President Biden’s decision to run for reelection seem shockingly narcissistic, self-delusional, and reckless—a desperate bet that went bust—and part of a larger act of extended public deception that has few precedents. The story the authors tell raises fundamental issues of accountability and responsibility that will continue for decades. The irony is biting: In the name of defeating what they called an existential threat to democracy, Biden and his inner circle ensured it, tossing aside his implicit promise to serve for only one term, denying the existence of health issues the nation had been watching for years, dooming the Democrats to defeat. The decision to run again, the Original Sin of this president, led to a campaign of denial and gaslighting, leading directly to Donald Trump's return to power and all that has happened as a consequence. Rarely does hubris meet nemesis more explosively. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, Original Sin is essential reading.
AI Overview
Book Overview: "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
Plot Summary: "Original Sin" is a non-fiction book published by Penguin Press, scheduled for release on May 20, 2025. The book, written by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, delves into the alleged cover-up of Joe Biden's health decline during his presidency and his decision to run for re-election despite this deterioration. The authors claim that this decision was a pivotal moment in American political history, leading to a campaign of "gaslighting and denial" and ultimately contributing to the election of Donald Trump in 2024.
The book is based on over 200 interviews and provides a detailed, step-by-step account of how those closest to President Biden enabled his decision to run for a second term. It focuses on the impact of Biden's health on the 2024 election and how this issue was handled by his team and supporters.
Key Themes:
- Health Decline: The book centers around the alleged decline in President Biden's health and how this was managed by his team.
- Cover-Up: The authors argue that there was a concerted effort to hide the extent of Biden's health deterioration.
- Election Impact: The book explores how Biden's decision to run for re-election, despite his health issues, influenced the 2024 presidential election.
- Gaslighting and Denial: The authors contend that those around Biden engaged in a campaign of denial and gaslighting to protect him and his presidency.
Critical Reception: The book has received positive reviews from several prominent publications:
The Washington Post: Alex Shephard praises the book for its "stubborn focus on Biden’s health as not just the most important factor in the 2024 election but the sole defining reason for Trump’s victory." He notes that the book's account of the 2024 election is compelling and that Tapper and Thompson's reporting and prose are clear-eyed and extensive.
The New York Times: Jennifer Szalai describes the book as a "damning, step-by-step account" of how those closest to Biden enabled his decision to run for a second term, calling it "blistering".
The Nation: Norman Solomon notes that while the book doesn't provide a single sensational reveal, it sheds light on official deception. However, he cautions readers to take some of the dialogue with grains of salt due to the lack of attribution and potential spinning by sources.
The book's reception has also been noted in the context of crisis PR efforts by the authors. Following the announcement of the book, Tapper and Thompson hired Risa Heller for crisis PR ahead of the book launch, indicating a potential response to anticipated backlash from supporters of President Biden.
Overall, "Original Sin" is a critical examination of a significant moment in American political history, focusing on the alleged cover-up of President Biden's health decline and its impact on the 2024 election.