Biden jokes ‘I’m a young man’ during interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur

Former President Joe Biden found himself in hot water in October 2023 when he was interviewed by Special Counsel Robert Hur over his mishandling of classified documents. Newly released audio from Axios revealed that Biden struggled to recall key memories and appeared to be disoriented during the interviews.

During the interview, Biden joked that he was a “young man,” despite being 82 years old at the time. This light-hearted comment raised eyebrows given the seriousness of the situation. The recordings also captured Biden slurring his words and struggling to remember important details, such as the year his son Beau died and when he left office as vice president.

Transcripts of the interviews conducted on October 8 and 9, 2023, were released on March 12, 2024. Hur emphasized the importance of answering truthfully and urged Biden to make his best effort to recall events that happened years ago. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Biden seemed nonchalant and even made jokes about his age.

Hur, who was tasked with investigating Biden’s handling of classified documents, released a report on February 5, 2024, stating that he declined to bring charges against the president. The report cited Biden’s poor memory and elderly status as reasons for not pursuing legal action. It acknowledged that Biden had obtained classified documents during his time as vice president and senator.

In response to the report, Biden defiantly stated, “I’m well-meaning and I’m an elderly man, and I know what the hell I’m doing.” This statement only added fuel to the fire, as Republicans and critics questioned his mental fitness to serve as president.

The leaked audio and Hur’s report intensified pressure on Biden, especially during his re-election campaign in 2024. Democrats urged him to drop out of the race following a lackluster performance in a presidential debate against Donald Trump. Ultimately, Biden decided to withdraw from the race, and his vice president, Kamala Harris, went on to lose to Trump in the general election.

The controversy surrounding Biden’s handling of classified documents and his mental acuity highlighted the challenges of aging leaders in politics. As the dust settled on this chapter of his presidency, it served as a cautionary tale for future leaders about the importance of transparency and accountability in government.