Book Claims Biden Aides Discussed Wheelchair Use Amid Deteriorating Health

A new book alleges that former President Joe Biden’s aides considered the possibility of him using a wheelchair if he had secured a second term in the 2024 election. The book, titled "Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, claims that Biden’s physical decline became a serious concern within his inner circle during 2023 and 2024.

According to the book, Biden’s visibly declining physical condition, particularly his increasingly unsteady gait, prompted internal discussions about the potential need for a wheelchair. However, the authors suggest that any decision to publicly acknowledge or address this possibility was deliberately postponed until after the election.

The book is the latest in a series of political publications examining the tumultuous 2024 presidential election, during which concerns about Biden’s mental acuity and advanced age fueled calls for him to step aside.

The authors further claim that Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, privately acknowledged the potential need for a wheelchair should the president experience another significant fall and face a challenging recovery.

Concerns regarding Biden’s physical agility intensified in June 2023 when he tripped over a sandbag at the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony. While a White House official downplayed the incident as an accident, critics seized upon it as evidence of Biden’s frailty and questioned whether it constituted "elder abuse."

The book alleges that Biden’s aides implemented strategies to mitigate the appearance of his physical limitations. These measures included shortening walking routes, emphasizing the use of handrails on staircases, encouraging the wearing of sneakers, and providing more attentive guidance during public appearances as the 2024 campaign progressed.

Beyond physical concerns, Biden’s mental acuity had been under scrutiny, particularly from conservative circles, even before the 2020 election. These concerns were amplified in February 2024 when Special Counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents as vice president, declined to recommend criminal charges. Hur described Biden as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."

The book further asserts that Biden’s aides deliberately "scripted" his appearances and allowed his cognitive abilities to "atrophy."

Critical observation of Biden’s mental sharpness reached a peak during the June 2024 presidential debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump. Biden’s performance was widely perceived as underwhelming, leading even traditional allies to join conservatives in expressing concerns about his health and suggesting that he should pass the torch to a younger generation of leaders.

Ultimately, Biden withdrew from the race at the end of July 2024, leaving his successor, former Vice President Kamala Harris, with a mere 100 days to garner support. Trump and Vice President JD Vance ultimately secured victory, consolidating support in key battleground states.

In response to the claims made in the book, a Biden spokesperson told Axios that while physical changes were evident as he aged, "evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity." The spokesperson attributed Biden’s "stiffened gait" to wear and tear on his spine, asserting that no special treatment was required and that his condition had not worsened.

The spokesperson further defended Biden’s performance as president, stating, "We are still waiting for someone, anyone, to point out where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision or make a presidential address where he was unable to do his job because of mental decline. In fact, the evidence points to the opposite — he was a very effective president."

Fox News Digital reached out to Biden’s office for additional comment but did not receive an immediate response.

The allegations in "Original Sin" raise questions about the extent to which Biden’s health was a factor in his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and the strategies employed by his staff to manage public perception of his physical and mental condition. The book is likely to fuel further debate about the role of age and health in evaluating political leaders. It also highlights the intense scrutiny that candidates face in modern elections, where every aspect of their lives, including their health, is subject to public examination.

The upcoming release of "Original Sin" promises to add another layer of complexity to the already extensive analysis of the 2024 election, potentially influencing future discussions about the qualifications and limitations of presidential candidates.

The claims within the book also invite discussion about the ethical considerations surrounding transparency and disclosure of a president’s health status. While privacy concerns are valid, the public also has a right to be informed about the health of their leaders, particularly when it may impact their ability to effectively govern. The question of how to balance these competing interests remains a challenge for politicians and the media alike.

Ultimately, the book serves as a reminder of the demanding nature of the presidency and the physical and mental toll it can take on individuals, regardless of their age or prior experience.