Inside 'Original Sin': A Critical Examination of Biden’s Struggle and Support Network in 2024

In their book 'Original Sin,' Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson offer a stark narrative contrasting the biblical tale of Adam and Eve’s fall with the political downfall of President Joe Biden. The book’s cover features a black-and-white portrait of Biden with hands obscuring his eyes, symbolizing a deliberate blindness. While the biblical story warns of innocent curiosity, this account highlights the dangers of willful ignorance within political leadership.

The authors argue that the fundamental misstep of the 2024 election was Biden’s choice to seek a second term amid growing concerns about his cognitive fitness. During the first presidential debate on June 27, 2024, many Democratic voters witnessed a stark contrast: Donald Trump launched a series of bold falsehoods while Biden appeared pale and struggled to respond coherently.

Trump’s erratic debate performance was consistent with his rally speeches, filled with incoherent tangents and exaggerated claims. However, the degree of Biden’s frailty came as a surprise to many. By that time, most of Biden’s public appearances had been meticulously managed. According to the book, for over a year and a half, Biden’s team worked to accommodate an aging president who was visibly growing more fatigued and disoriented. Concerned party donors and politicians seeking clarity on Biden’s mental state were largely kept uninformed, while others witnessed signs of decline daily but were reluctant to accept them.

Tapper, who moderated the debate, and Thompson, a national political correspondent, conducted interviews with roughly 200 individuals, including senior insiders. They note that some interviewees may never publicly acknowledge their participation, but all are aware of the realities detailed in the book.

The book presents a detailed and critical account of how those closest to Biden supported his determined, yet arguably unrealistic, decision to pursue a second term. It outlines the consequences of this decision, including the marginalization of Vice President Kamala Harris, hostility toward journalists reporting on Biden’s apparent cognitive issues, and a public left confused by unclear communication from the White House. One source described the situation as a betrayal, claiming Biden had effectively stolen the election from his own party and the American people.

This sharp criticism is attributed to a senior Democratic strategist who nevertheless publicly defended Biden. The book explores various reasons behind such public endorsements, including reliance on reassurances from Biden’s surrogates and fears that criticizing the president could bolster Trump’s campaign. The authors challenge these justifications, suggesting that fears of a Trump return should have motivated greater transparency rather than denial.