The Wall Street Journal has published an extensive investigation revealing that concerns about President Biden’s age-related challenges emerged within months of his taking office. Based on interviews with nearly 50 insiders, the report details how the administration developed specific protocols to manage these issues.
According to the investigation, White House staff implemented various strategies to accommodate the president’s condition, including limiting meeting durations and carefully scheduling engagements. Sources described a system where appointments would be rescheduled on Biden’s “bad days,” with one former aide recounting a national security official’s acknowledgment of these fluctuations in the president’s performance.
The report identified a pattern of reduced direct engagement between Biden and key political figures. House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith and Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes both noted significantly less access to Biden compared to their interactions with previous presidents. Cabinet members reportedly faced similar limitations, with one member abandoning attempts to arrange direct communications after determining such requests would be unwelcome.
The Journal’s investigation also revealed that Biden’s preparation for his interview with special counsel Robert Hur was complicated by difficulties recalling previously discussed information. The handling of his 2024 campaign events reportedly involved pre-screening audience questions, while pollsters noted that Biden seemed unaware of polling data showing him trailing in the race.
The revelations come as both major candidates face age-related scrutiny, with President-elect Trump set to match Biden’s inauguration age of 78 and reach 82 by the end of his term. The report suggests that Biden’s challenges culminated in what observers considered a problematic debate performance on June 27.
The investigation indicates that senior advisers like Jake Sullivan, Steve Ricchetti, and Lael Brainard often served as presidential intermediaries, taking on roles typically filled by the president himself in previous administrations.
