Former U.S. President Joe Biden’s health has been in the spotlight recently, weeks after announcing his cancer diagnosis.
Two leading journalists co-published a book detailing claims that Biden’s family and close advisers concealed his mental and physical decline during his presidency.
President Donald Trump has now called for an inquiry into Biden’s health during his time in office, alleging that Biden’s staff used an ‘autopen’ to duplicate the President’s signature.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden became the oldest elected President when he won the 2020 election at the age of 77. Trump beat that record four years later at 78 years old.
Questions about Joe Biden’s health had been building up during his presidential term, including whether he was capable of running for re-election.
A February 2024 report compiled by Robert Hur, a legal adviser looking into Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified White House documents, referred to Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory”.
Doubt further surged in view of Biden’s poor debate performance against Trump during the presidential campaign last June.
At one point, Biden stumbled over his words and finished his sentence after a 14-second pause. He dropped out of the race soon after.
A few weeks ago, Biden’s office announced he had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer.
New book
A new book about the Biden White House, titled Original Sin, was published days after Biden’s cancer announcement.
The book alleges Biden’s closest aides – his family and senior advisers – went to considerable lengths to cover up his ailing health.
The co-authors – American journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson – interviewed more than 200 people connected to Biden’s inner-circle.
It references Biden’s increased reliance on a teleprompter when speaking publicly, his speech slip-ups, and misnaming world leaders and acquaintances, including Hollywood star George Clooney at a Democrat fundraiser.
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His media appearances were limited and sit-down interviews became rare during his final two years as President.
The co-authors alleged Biden’s team was “denying the existence of health issues the nation had been watching for years”.
Inquiry
Earlier this week, Trump requested a probe into Joe Biden’s “mental and physical health” during his presidential term.
The Trump order claims Biden’s aides concealed his “serious cognitive decline”, accusing them of using an “autopen” to forge the President’s signature on official documents, including pardons and laws.
An autopen is a machine used to duplicate a signature and has long been used in the White House.
Trump’s order states: “There are serious doubts as to the decision making process and even the degree of Biden’s awareness of these actions being taken in his name.”
It questions how thousands of presidential documents were rubber-stamped, accusing Biden’s advisers of attempting to “cover up his inability to discharge his duties”.
Some commentators have said the Trump order seeks to cast doubt over the validity of some of Biden’s decisions, including the pardoning of his son Hunter.
Biden's response
Joe Biden issued a statement calling the inquiry “ridiculous”.
“I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations.”
After a Memorial Day event last week, Biden gave his first public comments to reporters saying he’s “feeling good” as he begins cancer treatment.
“The expectation is we’re gonna be able to beat this,” he said.
