Biden’s Health and Presidency Ignite Debate Amid New Revelations

New disclosures about former President Joe Biden’s health and cognitive fitness have reignited national debate, as a forthcoming book and recent medical updates shed light on his final years in office.

Allegations of Decline and Cover-Up

A new book, Original Sin by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, alleges that Biden’s physical and mental decline was more pronounced than previously acknowledged and that his inner circle worked to obscure these issues from the public. The book details instances in which Biden reportedly struggled to recall the names of long-time aides and appeared visibly frail, raising alarm among observers and fueling questions about his capacity to serve as president.

These claims have been amplified by the release of an audio recording from a 2023 interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, in which Biden’s halting speech and memory lapses were evident. The revelations have prompted renewed scrutiny of how Democratic leaders and the media portrayed Biden’s health during his 2024 reelection campaign.

Medical Records and Recent Diagnosis

Throughout his presidency, official health reports described Biden as a “healthy, vigorous” man capable of executing the duties of the presidency. His physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, noted manageable conditions such as atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux, and peripheral neuropathy in his feet, which contributed to a stiffer gait but were not considered to impair his cognitive function.

However, in May 2025, Biden’s office announced he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. The diagnosis came just months after he left office, making him the oldest president in U.S. history at age 82. The cancer was characterized as hormone-sensitive, which allows for some treatment options, but its advanced stage has raised further questions about the adequacy of health monitoring during his presidency.

Political Fallout and Party Introspection

Biden’s health became a flashpoint during the 2024 campaign, especially after a widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. The event intensified calls from within the Democratic Party for Biden to withdraw from the race, which he ultimately did in July 2024, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign. Critics argue that Biden’s decision to remain in the race as long as he did contributed to the Democratic Party’s eventual loss to Trump.

Democratic leaders now face scrutiny for their steadfast public defense of Biden’s capabilities, with some party members and commentators calling for introspection and labeling his presidency a “tragic” chapter in American politics.

Legacy: Achievements and Criticisms

Despite the controversy, Biden’s tenure saw notable domestic achievements, including record-low unemployment and expansions to the Affordable Care Act. However, his foreign policy decisions—particularly his support for Israel and the withdrawal from Afghanistan—remain points of contention within his party and among the public.

As the Democratic Party contends with these revelations and the broader implications for its future, the debate over transparency, leadership, and the handling of presidential health is likely to persist.