Biden faced challenges filming campaign videos during the 2024 election
Former President Joe Biden faced significant challenges during the 2024 campaign, as revealed in a new book titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.” Authored by journalists Jake Tapper of CNN and Alex Thompson of Axios, the book sheds light on Biden’s struggles with declining health while filming campaign videos and quick keynote addresses.
According to the book, Biden’s team encountered difficulties while attempting to film campaign videos, with the footage ultimately deemed “unusable” due to the former President’s stumbling and inability to get through questions. In one instance, a planned town hall-style video shoot in a high school gym was abandoned after Biden faced challenges in responding to pre-prepared questions. Despite attributing the issues to poor lighting, the book suggests that Biden’s own struggles were the primary obstacle.
Similarly, when requested to provide short video addresses for keynote events, Biden often struggled to deliver a coherent message within the allotted time frame. Sources cited in the book described Biden’s difficulties in finding words, remembering his lines, and maintaining a consistent train of thought during filming sessions. Aides reportedly resorted to editing footage to showcase Biden in a more favorable light, including using slow-motion effects to conceal his physical limitations.
The book also addresses the impact of Biden’s prolonged presence in the 2024 race on then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe characterized Harris’ experience as a “nightmare” due to Biden’s delayed exit from the race. The book points to Biden as a contributing factor to Harris’ unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
While a former Biden staffer has disputed the claims made in the book, asserting that it is “riddled with falsehoods,” the narrative presented by Tapper and Thompson highlights concerns surrounding Biden’s cognitive decline and its implications on his ability to fulfill his presidential duties. Despite challenges and controversies detailed in “Original Sin,” a spokesperson for Biden has defended his performance as an effective leader who prioritized national security and governance.
As part of a series of publications exploring Biden’s decision to run in 2024 and his cognitive decline, “Original Sin” offers a critical perspective on the former President’s campaign struggles and the internal dynamics of his administration. The book adds to the ongoing discourse surrounding Biden’s health and leadership during a pivotal period in American politics.
