Megyn Kelly Interviews Jake Tapper & Alex Thompson on "Original Sin": Biden's Decline & Cover-Up

The "Original Sin" of Biden's Re-election Bid

• 📚 The book "Original Sin" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson explores the alleged cognitive decline of President Biden and the subsequent cover-up.
• 🔑 The title "Original Sin" refers to the belief that Biden should not have run for re-election, necessitating a cover-up of his condition.
• 🗣️ Tapper and Thompson interviewed over 200 Democratic insiders after the election, who were willing to discuss the behind-the-scenes reality.

Media's Role and Tapper's Coverage

• 📺 Tapper acknowledges his own coverage was not aggressive enough, expressing humility about his past interviews with Biden.
• 🎯 He admits Laura Trump was correct in her 2020 assessment of Biden's cognitive decline, an apology he has since made.
• 🎤 The book details instances where Biden forgot names, struggled with articulation, and exhibited disorientation, which Tapper now regrets not pressing harder on.

Inside the "Palace Bureau" and White House Operations

• 🏛️ The book identifies a core group of advisors, dubbed the "palace bureau," who allegedly managed Biden's schedule and interactions.
• 🔒 This inner circle, including Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Ron Klain, and Bruce Reed, is accused of shielding Biden from extensive contact and potentially shaping decisions.
• 🤫 Resident White House staff reportedly felt sidelined, with some believing the actions were intended to hide Biden's deterioration.

Cabinet Secretaries' Concerns and Lack of Access

• 😟 At least four cabinet secretaries expressed concerns that Biden could not be relied upon for 2 a.m. emergency calls by 2024.
• 🚫 Access to Biden reportedly dropped significantly in 2024, with cabinet secretaries briefing senior staff who then briefed the president.
• 🗣️ Some secretaries felt decisions were framed by the inner circle, questioning if they were truly Biden's own.

The Debate Meltdown and Its Aftermath

• 🎤 During the June 2024 debate, Biden exhibited a shocking decline, including forgetting names, struggling with coherence, and misstating "Medicare."
• 📝 Tapper's text to his control room read "Holy smokes," while his producer noted, "He just lost the election."
• 🚶‍♂️ Post-debate, Biden and Jill Biden appeared unaware of the severity of the meltdown, attributing it to a cold.

Timing of Health Revelations and Media Scrutiny

• 🗓️ The book suggests a pattern of obfuscation regarding Biden's health, including explanations for his gait and the timing of his prostate cancer diagnosis announcement.
• 🧐 Skepticism surrounds the timing of the cancer diagnosis announcement, coinciding with the book's release and other reports.
• 📰 Tapper and Thompson emphasize the importance of transparency and investigative journalism, even when facing blowback from all political sides.