A new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson reveals that aides to former President Joe Biden seriously discussed the possibility of placing him in a wheelchair if he had been re-elected in 2024—a stunning admission that underscores the extent of his physical decline behind closed doors.
The book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, paints a damning picture of a presidency propped up by aides who worked feverishly to conceal the commander-in-chief’s deteriorating condition. According to the authors, Biden’s gait had worsened to the point that some on his staff feared a serious fall could force the use of a wheelchair. Despite growing concerns from medical advisors, the campaign ultimately rejected the idea—afraid it would confirm to voters what they were already seeing with their own eyes.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s personal physician, reportedly warned that another bad fall could lead to permanent mobility issues. To minimize risk, Biden’s team implemented a series of subtle but telling adjustments: using shorter walking routes, adding more handrails, encouraging sneakers over dress shoes, and limiting his physical exertion on the campaign trail.
Though the White House continued to publicly blame his awkward gait on a 2020 foot fracture, the book claims internal records contradicted that excuse—the injury had long since healed. The adjustments were not precautionary—they were necessary.
The health concerns intensified after Biden’s disastrous debate performance against President Trump in June 2024, which raised serious alarms even within Democratic circles. By July, Biden was forced to bow out of the race, handing the baton to Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Biden’s team has pushed back against the book’s claims, admitting only to age-related changes while insisting he remained mentally competent throughout his presidency. But the details in Original Sin tell a different story—one of quiet crisis management, political damage control, and a presidency that many now believe should never have sought re-election.
The book is set for release on May 20 and is already sending shockwaves through Washington. With growing questions about who was really in charge during Biden’s final year in office, this latest revelation is likely to deepen public skepticism about the transparency—and judgment—of the former president’s inner circle.