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CNN journalist Jake Tapper shared insights on Wednesday about his discussions with Democratic insiders for a book that explores the cover-up of former President Joe Biden’s declining capabilities. According to Tapper, those sources did not express remorse for their actions or acknowledge the mistakes made along the way.
In an interview on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Tapper revealed, “We never got anybody who said, ‘We should never have done this. I can’t believe we did it. In retrospect, it was a mistake.’ They did not voice such regrets. For instance, one senior White House aide admitted to me that a brief interview I conducted with Biden back in October 2022 would not have been possible for him to handle just one year later. That admission was shocking to me.”
Even though this admission came from a top aide, Tapper noted, “It did not accompany any acknowledgment of error. They expressed no regret over running Biden as a candidate. It was just a recognition of the circumstances. They refrained from saying, ‘What a mistake this was.'”
Insights from Tapper and Thompson’s Book
Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson co-authored the book titled Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. This work details the extensive lengths to which Biden’s inner circle went to obscure his limitations during his presidency. Tapper has even claimed that the implications of this scandal could be more significant than those of Watergate.
Perceptions Among Democratic Insiders
During their discussions, Tapper noted that many insiders believed Biden was their best chance to defeat former President Donald Trump.
“Most of them were speaking the truth, to the extent that they had reconciled with it themselves. However, I find myself wondering where their sentiments will lead them in a year’s time. One Democratic source I interviewed for the book offered a startling revelation. When I later reached out to see how they were doing, they expressed upset, but not regarding us or the book. Their frustration stems from the reality of the situation and the ensuing public discourse. They are still processing everything,” Tapper explained.
Justifications Within Biden’s Circle
Thompson also recounted a conversation with an interviewee conducted prior to the election. This insider suggested that Biden only needed to win the election while merely “occasionally showing proof of life,” implying that others would manage the government.
“They justified their perspective by asserting that because Trump could not return, voters were also casting votes for those surrounding Biden. Some in Biden’s circle seemed comfortable with this arrangement,” Thompson stated.
Critiques of Biden’s Inner Circle
Tapper characterized this viewpoint as absurd. He stated, “This was someone working in the White House before the election, expressing the idea that once the election was secured, it didn’t matter that Biden just needed to validate his existence. That concept is offensive.”
In a deeper criticism, Tapper accused Biden and his supporters of anti-democratic behavior.
“The notion that Biden believed he was the sole candidate capable of defeating Trump, combined with his intention to pursue another four years in office, contradicts reality and raises concerns. The reality is that Biden is limiting the Democratic Party’s opportunity to engage in a primary process, one that could showcase a range of potential candidates, such as Gretchen Whitmer, Josh Shapiro, Gavin Newsom, or others. Denying that opportunity to the party, to allow a select group, including himself, to dominate the conversation is truly anti-democratic,” he remarked, referring to Smith, who has hinted at his interest in a potential presidential run.
Reflecting on Past Coverage of Biden
Tapper has acknowledged the complexity of Biden’s situation, noting his own reflection on prior coverage. He has admitted to feeling a sense of humility regarding how he addressed Biden’s decline before the publication of the book.
In today’s political landscape, the impacts of such conversations continue to ripple through both the Democratic Party and the media. As discussions around Biden’s viability as a candidate persist, insights from insiders will undoubtedly shape the narrative leading into the next election cycle.
