An updated edition of the book Original Sin reportedly contains explosive claims about President Joe Biden’s cognitive struggles, including that he forgot the death of longtime Senate colleague Bob Dole—despite delivering his eulogy—and at one point believed his late son Beau was still alive. The revelations come as Biden formally exited the 2024 race following a disastrous debate performance that reignited concerns about his mental sharpness.
Allegations of Memory Lapses
According to authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, Biden’s cognitive challenges extended beyond what was previously known. The book claims that despite publicly honoring Dole at his 2021 funeral, Biden later seemed unaware the Republican leader had passed away. Dole died in December 2021 at 98, receiving tributes from both parties for his decades of public service.
In another instance, Biden allegedly referenced his son Beau—who succumbed to brain cancer in 2015—as if he were still battling the disease. A spokesperson for Biden fiercely denied this claim, stating that the president “has not had a single day” without grieving Beau. Thompson, co-author of the book, pushed back on the White House’s rebuttal, telling critics to read the reporting and judge for themselves.
Aftermath of Debate Disaster
The revelations follow Biden’s abrupt withdrawal from the 2024 race, which came after a widely panned debate against Donald Trump where the 81-year-old president appeared disoriented and struggled to complete thoughts. In his exit statement, Biden cited a desire to unify the party and focus on finishing his term.
Tapper, who co-moderated the June debate, later admitted regret over not pressing harder on Biden’s health. “I need to run more towards the discomfort of questions about health because they’re so important,” the CNN anchor said.
The updated edition of Original Sin, first published in May 2025, includes new reporting on Biden’s mental state sourced from aides and associates. While political memoirs often spark controversy, the claims add fuel to long-standing GOP criticisms about Biden’s fitness for office—an issue now inherited by his would-be successors.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-details-suggest-joe-bidens-mental-collapse-was-even-worse-than-previously-known