Former President Bill Clinton recently took to the stage on "The View" to counter the circulating narratives concerning the alleged health deterioration of ex-President Joe Biden during his tenure at the White House.
Clinton, in his defense of Biden, categorically denied observing any signs of physical or cognitive decline when he interacted with Biden in person. He instead directed the blame towards Biden's previous staff for their decision to permit the then 81-year-old to undertake international travel just before the June 27 debate.
This debate, marred by Biden's lackluster performance, ultimately led to his withdrawal from the 2024 race.
According to the Daily Caller, Clinton stated, "All I can say is whenever I was around him, [Bidens] mind was clear, his judgement was good and he was on top of his brief." He further questioned the rationale behind Biden's hectic travel schedule leading up to the debate, asking, "He went to Europe and back twice and then he went to California once. And he was 80 years old, what the heck is he doing that for? So, why was that allowed to happen?" Clinton emphasized the need to focus more on the future rather than dwelling on past events.
Clinton also highlighted that cognitive issues among presidents are not an anomaly, citing the cases of former Presidents Ronald Reagan, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, and Woodrow Wilson, who suffered a severe stroke while in office in 1919.
In the wake of comprehensive reports about Biden's health decline featured in "Original Sin," a book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson, Clinton expressed his disagreement with the book's portrayal of Biden. Speaking to "CBS Sunday Morning," Clinton said, "I saw President Biden not very long ago, and I thought he was in good shape, but the book didnt register with me cause I never saw him that way."
"Original Sin" alleges that Biden's staff, cabinet officials, and Democratic lawmakers were all privy to Biden's declining health but chose to withhold this information from the public to bolster his reelection chances. The book claims that Biden's staff went to great lengths to shield him from the press, including escorting him out of public events and organizing the fewest press conferences since Reagan's presidency.
The book also reveals that following a fall in June 2023, Dr. Kevin OConnor, Biden's personal physician, warned his staff that another fall could necessitate the use of a wheelchair. In response, his staff reportedly took additional measures to prevent further falls, such as creating clearer pathways and recommending specific footwear.
According to Tapper and Thompson, O'Connor also expressed concern about the toll the presidency was taking on Biden and recommended more rest time be incorporated into his schedule.
The book further alleges that Biden failed to recognize his longtime friend, Hollywood actor George Clooney, during a campaign fundraiser in June 2024, leaving the actor reportedly stunned and shaken.
Despite these concerns, Democrats, the White House, and the media, including Tapper, dismissed any worries about Biden's health until his debate performance made it evident to voters that he was unfit for a second term. This led to Congressional Democrats urging Biden to withdraw from the race, which he did in July.
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