New Book Reveals Biden Aides Discussed Wheelchair Use/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new book alleges President Joe Biden’s aides privately considered using a wheelchair for him during a potential second term. The revelations, detailed in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s “Original Sin”, describe internal concerns over Biden’s mobility and cognitive decline. Biden’s team strongly denies any suggestion of incapacity.
Biden Aides Considered Wheelchair in Second Term – Quick Looks
- New book claims aides weighed wheelchair use for Biden.
- Author Jake Tapper says aides hid Biden’s physical decline.
- Staff shortened routes and added handrails to support Biden.
- Dr. Kevin O’Connor warned a fall could require a wheelchair.
- Staff feared optics of wheelchair use during reelection bid.
- Biden allegedly forgot names, became disoriented under fatigue.
- White House says mobility concerns never impaired decisions.
- Biden dropped out of race after poor 2024 debate showing.
New Book Reveals Biden Aides Discussed Wheelchair Use
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (CNN/AP) — A new book paints a stark picture of President Joe Biden’s physical and cognitive challenges during the latter half of his presidency, revealing that aides discussed the possibility of him using a wheelchair if he won a second term.
The revelations come from “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” written by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, based on more than 200 interviews, mostly with Democratic insiders conducted after the 2024 election.
According to the book, aides privately debated the optics and necessity of wheelchair use, especially after Biden’s gait worsened, and his physician cautioned that even a minor fall could require long-term mobility support.
“Biden’s physical deterioration — most apparent in his halting walk — had become so severe that there were internal discussions about putting the president in a wheelchair,” the authors report.
Workarounds to Shield the President
Tapper and Thompson detail how Biden’s team adjusted logistics to reduce the strain on the president — shortening walking routes, adding handrails, and using smaller staircases for Air Force One.
Aides reportedly began walking alongside Biden on the White House lawn not just to “block the visual” of his slowed pace, but also to help in case he stumbled or fell.
Cognitive Concerns
Beyond physical issues, the book also suggests signs of mental decline, including:
- Forgetting longtime acquaintances’ names
- Blank stares during meetings
- Noticeable confusion when fatigued
These symptoms reportedly grew more concerning after the 2024 election but had been whispered about inside the West Wing beforehand.
A Campaign Undone
While Biden’s team maintained confidence in his fitness for office during the 2024 campaign, the turning point came after his widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. Biden withdrew from the race three weeks later.
The authors say staffers feared that even basic campaign appearances could turn risky and unmanageable.
White House Pushback
In response to the book’s claims, a Biden spokesperson dismissed the concerns as exaggerated:
“Yes, there were physical changes as he got older, but evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity.”
The statement emphasized Biden’s medical exam findings, which attributed his stiffened gait to spinal wear and tear, and stated no special treatment was necessary.
“We are still waiting for someone, anyone, to point out where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision… where he was unable to do his job because of mental decline.”
Jill Biden Defends Husband
In a recent interview on ABC’s The View, First Lady Jill Biden dismissed allegations of cognitive decline and said authors writing such books were “not in the White House.”
“They didn’t see how hard Joe worked every single day,” she said.
What’s in the Book?
“Original Sin”, due out May 20, explores:
- The decline of President Biden’s physical and mental health
- Internal White House efforts to manage his image
- The administration’s fumbled handling of the 2024 campaign
- Why aides believed Biden’s decision to run again was a mistake
It is expected to ignite debate about transparency, age, and leadership at the highest levels of U.S. government.
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