Why did it take so long for details about Biden's decline to emerge?

The narrative suggests that the perception of Donald Trump as an existential threat led many within the Democratic party and Biden's circle to suppress concerns about his fitness to avoid helping Trump. This, combined with a lack of 'plan B' and a culture of loyalty, made it difficult to obtain candid information until after the election.

What is the 'Jar Jar Binks theory' of leadership?

The Jar Jar Binks theory suggests that powerful individuals tend to isolate themselves from anyone who might challenge them or deliver bad news, much like George Lucas's controversial inclusion of Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequels.

Did Joe Biden intend to serve only one term?

There's evidence that Biden's team strategically leaked the idea of a one-term presidency in late 2019 to address concerns about his age. However, after the midterms and without a clear internal process for re-evaluation, he decided to run again.

How does the Biden family's motto relate to the administration's issues?

A lesser-known family motto, 'never call a fat person fat,' signifies a reluctance to tell ugly truths. This tendency to avoid harsh realities is linked to the family's silence on sensitive issues like Bo Biden's cancer and Hunter's addiction.

Was Joe Biden capable of making decisions even if he struggled with communication?

The argument was made that Biden could be competent in decision-making behind closed doors while struggling publicly. However, the importance of communication in modern leadership is emphasized, suggesting this distinction might be a false dichotomy.

When did Joe Biden's cognitive decline become noticeable?

Sources suggest a significant decline after the death of his son Bo in 2015, with concerns becoming more apparent in 2019-2020 and significantly increasing in 2023-2024.

What are the 'radioactive tapes' mentioned?

The 'radioactive tapes' likely refer to audio or video recordings made by special counsel Robert Hur's investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents, which reportedly captured aspects of Biden's acuity and memory.

Key Moments

How They Covered Up Biden's Decline | Sam Harris & Jake Tapper (Making Sense #415)

Sam Harris

Science & Technology5 min read22 min video

May 21, 2025|111,116 views|1,955|1,704

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Book details a Democratic cover-up of Biden's cognitive decline, fueled by fear of Trump and a culture of loyalty.

Key Insights

A significant cover-up of Joe Biden's cognitive decline occurred within the Democratic party and his inner circle.

The perceived existential threat of Donald Trump was a primary motivator for downplaying Biden's struggles.

Journalists, including those critical of Biden, may have averted their eyes or not pursued investigations aggressively enough.

A culture of loyalty and a reluctance to deliver bad news ('Jar Jar Binks theory') prevented candid assessments of Biden's fitness.

Biden's personal tragedies, particularly the death of his son Beau, are suggested as a turning point in his cognitive acuity.

The 'bridge to the next generation' narrative was strategically deployed and later abandoned without accountability.

The distinction between decision-making capacity and communication ability was used to rationalize Biden's campaign.

The Robert Hur tapes revealed significant cognitive issues, contradicting the 'fine behind closed doors' narrative.

THE BOOK'S CENTRAL THESIS: A SHAKESPEAREAN DRAMA

Jake Tapper's new book, co-authored with Alex Thompson, posits that the 2020 election and the subsequent presidency of Joe Biden have been a "Shakespearean drama" marked by hubris, delusion, self-service, and dishonesty. The authors argue that a significant cover-up regarding Biden's cognitive decline was orchestrated by his inner circle and the broader Democratic party. Despite acknowledging that Trump and Trumpism are arguably worse, the book unearths parallels that allow for accusations of widespread rot and deceit within the Biden camp, which Tapper suggests will be a source of satisfaction for the right.

REPORTING FROM THE INSIDE: SHOCKING REVELATIONS

The reporting for the book began immediately after the 2020 election, with Alex Thompson, a White House correspondent, and Jake Tapper interviewing over 200 individuals, almost all of whom were Biden-supporting Democrats. These conversations, conducted after the election, yielded "shocking" insights into the behind-the-scenes realities of the administration and the campaign. Sources described a pervasive sense of disbelief at what they were learning, even as they were recounting it. The core theme emerging from these interviews is the question of what key individuals knew about Biden's condition and when exactly they became aware of it.

THE 'BIG LIE' AND JOURNALISM'S ROLE

From the right's perspective, the "big lie" is that Joe Biden was always mentally fit and capable of serving another four years. The book confronts this head-on, questioning journalism's role in either being successfully stonewalled by the Biden administration or, in some cases, averting its gaze from an "open secret." Tapper admits that he, like others, did not cover Biden's decline as thoroughly as he should have. While he had asked Biden about health transparency in 2020 and noted his aging, the extent of the decline, particularly the policy implications and instances of forgetting names of key advisors, only became clear through deep investigative work uncovered post-election.

TRUMP AS JUSTIFICATION FOR DECEIT

A crucial element enabling the alleged cover-up was the widespread belief among Democrats that Donald Trump posed an "existential threat" to the United States. This conviction, Tapper explains, served as a powerful justification for downplaying any issues with Biden, as anything perceived as negative towards Biden was seen as directly benefiting Trump. This "enemy" mindset allowed for the rationalization of actions that might otherwise have been scrutinized, making it difficult for information to surface until after the election when, as Tapper describes, people were willing to talk, and the dam of silence broke.

THE ABSENCE OF A PLAN B AND THE 'JAR JAR BINKS THEORY'

Compounding the situation was the perceived lack of a viable Plan B for the Democrats. Kamala Harris was not seen as electable by key figures, and the Biden family itself was deeply invested in the campaign, unwilling to relinquish it. This created an environment where no one was willing or able to challenge the status quo. Tapper introduces the "Jar Jar Binks theory" of leadership, which suggests powerful individuals tend to surround themselves with people who do not challenge them. He argues that Biden's top aides, like Steve Rattner and Mike Donilon, worshipped him, lacking individuals who could candidly tell him he was too old to run.

THE 'BRIDGE TO NOWHERE' NARRATIVE AND ITS COLLAPSE

Biden explicitly stated his intention to serve only one term and act as a "bridge to the next generation." This narrative was strategically leaked before the primaries and reinforced through campaign events. However, as mid-term elections proved less disastrous than feared and without internal dissent, Biden decided to run again. A pollster's attempt to gauge public opinion on a re-election run was reportedly shut down by Anita Dunn, indicating a lack of "stress testing" for the decision. This lack of accountability and the absence of anyone to challenge the decision-making process are central to the book's critique.

A FAMILY MOTTO OF DENIAL AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

The book explores a deeper, familial characteristic contributing to the dynamic: a family motto implying "never call a fat person fat," which translates to not telling ugly truths. This motto, Tapper suggests, leads the family to lie to themselves and the world about sensitive issues, citing the secrecy around Beau Biden's cancer diagnosis and Hunter's addiction struggles. While Biden's resilience in the face of tragedy is often admired, this inherent resistance to confronting unpleasant realities ultimately became a significant flaw in his political decision-making.

THE PRESIDENTIAL DICHOTOMY: DECISION-MAKING VS. COMMUNICATION

A common justification for downplaying Biden's public stumbles was the argument that he remained competent in decision-making while struggling with communication. Tapper acknowledges this distinction, noting that a president's ability to communicate effectively is vital and has become even more critical in the modern era. He disagrees with the notion that the communication aspect is less important than decision-making. While Biden has always been prone to gaffes, reporting suggests a significant decline after his son Beau's death in 2015, a period when his cognitive acuity seemingly never fully recovered, impacting his ability to function reliably, especially in public.

THE 'RADIOACTIVE TAPES' AND THE TRUTH ABOUT COGNITIVE DECLINE

The discussion culminates in the mention of Robert Hur's investigation and the "radioactive tapes." Tapper indicates that the contents of these tapes did not come as a surprise to him, implying they confirmed the widespread cognitive issues and contradicted the narrative that Biden was "fine behind closed doors." This evidence lends significant weight to the book's central argument about the extent of the cognitive decline and the efforts made to conceal it from the public and the political sphere, exposing the depth of the presidential communication challenges.

Mentioned in This Episode

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Common Questions

The book 'Original Sin' by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson reportedly delves into the inner workings and alleged decline of the Biden administration, exploring issues of hubris, delusion, and dishonesty.