Former President Joe Biden challenged CNN’s Jake Tapper to a physical confrontation as he addressed growing concerns about his mental capabilities and controversial claims in a new book about his cognitive decline.
At a Glance
- Biden joked he could “beat the hell outta” CNN’s Jake Tapper and journalist Alex Thompson over their book questioning his mental fitness
- The former President sarcastically referred to himself as “mentally incompetent” while defending his physical capabilities
- New book “Original Sin” claims White House aides concealed Biden’s cognitive decline during his presidency
- Biden addressed his cancer diagnosis, stating his prognosis is good and treatment is progressing
- The former President defended his decision to run for reelection before ultimately stepping aside
Biden Responds to Mental Fitness Allegations with Humor
In remarks made in Delaware, former President Joe Biden addressed mounting questions about his mental acuity with unexpected humor, targeting the authors of a controversial new book examining his cognitive abilities. Biden sarcastically referred to his own mental state while suggesting he could physically confront the journalists who questioned his fitness for office. The comments came as Biden faces increasing scrutiny following his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and amid ongoing discussion about whether his team concealed concerns about his mental capacity during his presidency.
“You can see that I’m mentally incompetent and I can’t walk, and I can beat the hell out of both of them,” said Joe Biden.
The former President’s remarks were directed at CNN anchor Jake Tapper and journalist Alex Thompson, co-authors of “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.” The book contains explosive claims that Biden’s inner circle actively concealed his cognitive deterioration from the American public. Among the more sensational allegations, the authors claim Biden’s advisers contemplated arranging a wheelchair for him if he won reelection and that he failed to recognize actor George Clooney at a fundraising event.
BIDEN: "I'm Mentally Incompetent, I Can't Walk, and I Could Beat the Hell" Out of Jake Tapper pic.twitter.com/Li5MrYRoti
— RealClearPolitics (@RCPolitics) May 30, 2025
Defending His Decision to Run
Biden also directly addressed critics who questioned his decision to seek reelection before ultimately stepping aside in July. The former President suggested these critics should have challenged him in the Democratic primary if they had such strong concerns about his ability to serve. This defensive posture comes as many Democrats have privately and publicly criticized Biden for remaining in the race despite mounting evidence of age-related challenges, which some believe contributed to Donald Trump’s election victory.
Kamala Harris’ Campaign Manager, David Plouffe, has been among those expressing frustration, noting that Biden’s late exit from the race left the Harris campaign with minimal time to establish itself with voters. The tension within Democratic circles remains palpable as the party assesses the aftermath of Trump’s return to the White House and Biden’s role in the election outcome. Many party figures believe earlier recognition of Biden’s limitations might have altered the election’s trajectory.
🚨🇺🇸 STUDIO LIGHTS "MYSTERIOUSLY" CUT OUT AS BILL MAHER STARTS GRILLING JAKE TAPPER ABOUT BIDEN BOOK
Even Bill Maher's studio has better cognitive function than… well, you know.
Maher was just diving into Jake Tapper's explosive new book about Biden when the Real Time studio… https://t.co/gx1y6zCgvf pic.twitter.com/gCBR1I3AVw
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 31, 2025
Health Updates and Legacy Defense
During his remarks, Biden also addressed his recently disclosed cancer diagnosis, providing a reassuring update on his condition. He explained that his treatment involves medication and expressed confidence in his prognosis. The former President emphasized that the cancer hasn’t spread to his organs and his bones remain strong, suggesting he maintains physical resilience despite health challenges. These health disclosures come as the public continues to process revelations about his physical and cognitive condition during his presidency.
Biden’s team has vigorously disputed the claims made in “Original Sin,” with a spokesperson stating: “There is nothing in this book that shows Joe Biden failed to do his job, as the authors have alleged, nor did they prove their allegation that there was a cover up or conspiracy.” The statement defends Biden’s record, emphasizing his effectiveness as president despite the questions surrounding his cognitive abilities. Meanwhile, Biden himself referenced historians’ favorable assessments of his presidency compared to Trump’s, attempting to secure his legacy as public opinion continues to evolve.