An in-depth report published on Tuesday described President Joe Biden, 81, as facing challenges during official meetings behind closed doors, indicating a serious decline in cognitive abilities.
The Wall Street Journal interviewed over 45 individuals from both political parties over several months, with some noting instances where Biden mumbled and spoke so softly that others struggled to hear him.
They also observed occasions when he closed his eyes for extended periods, leading to concerns that he had disengaged from the discussion.
Additionally, there were reports of him having to refer to notes even for basic points.
Allegedly, during a conversation with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Biden referred to a recent policy change as “just a study,” causing Johnson to believe that Biden had forgotten the specifics of the policy.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) remarked that Biden seemed different from his time as vice president when they used to meet at his house.
The report mentioned that the White House closely monitored the Democrats who were interviewed and indicated that some of them shared recordings or details of the interviews with the White House.
One of those Democrats, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), told the WSJ, “They just, you know, said that I should give you a call back.”
During a January 17, 2024, meeting on Ukraine with nearly two dozen lawmakers, much of the conversation reportedly “didn’t include him,” and when questions came directly to him, he would turn to staffers. “You couldn’t be there and not feel uncomfortable,” said one person who attended told the paper. “I’ll just say that.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who was there, argued that Biden was “incredibly strong, forceful and decisive.” Sen. James Risch (R-ID), who was also there, disagreed, saying, “What you see on TV is what you get.”
“These people who keep talking about what a dynamo he is behind closed doors—they need to get him out from behind closed doors, because I didn’t see it,” he said.
Bumbling Biden is so confused, he doesn't even realize Russia’s alleged interference related to the 2016 presidential campaign took place under the Obama administration when he was vice president. https://t.co/YtXwgPrLDg
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 8, 2019
During the encounter with Johnson, Biden is said to have taken the speaker aside for a discussion regarding the necessary steps to bring Ukraine aid to a vote in the House.
Johnson reportedly raised concerns about a new policy from the Biden administration that suspended future permits for shipping LNG to other countries while it was under review.
Biden clarified that this was not accurate, stating that only a study was underway and future permits were not being halted.
“He would ramble,” McCarthy said. “He always had cards. He couldn’t negotiate another way.” McCarthy said Biden did call him one day from Air Force One, and that he was “more with it than any other time.” However, the next day, during a meeting, Biden lacked that same vigor. “He was going back to all the old stuff that had been done for a long time,” McCarthy told the paper. “And he was shocked when I’d say: ‘No, Mr. President. We talked about that meetings ago. We are done with that.’”
Nonetheless, it is unlikely that public perspectives of Biden will change significantly.
According to a March survey by the WSJ of voters in seven battleground states, only 28 percent believed Biden was more physically and mentally suited for the presidency, compared to 48 percent who favored Trump.
The WSJ also highlighted the shortage of opportunities to observe Biden in unscripted moments.
As per the report, by the end of April, Biden had participated in fewer interviews and press conferences than any of his recent predecessors.
His last extensive town-hall-style meeting with an independent news outlet took place in October 2021, over two years ago.
Biden is slated to debate former President Trump later this month, on June 27th.
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