Latest news with #JillBiden
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Inside Jill Biden's political rise amid her husband's cognitive decline: Book
Former President Joe Biden's inner circle considers first lady Jill Biden one of the most powerful first ladies in history, CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios political correspondent Alex Thompson reveal in their new book, "Original Sin." Jill Biden, who has a doctoral degree in education and whom White House staffers called "Dr. B" for short, was a reluctant political spouse in the early days of her husband's career. During his presidential campaigns and into his presidency, the first lady became his staunchest defender and a "political partner in addition to a spouse," Thompson and Tapper wrote. "Dr. B was a strong, protective force in the White House. She was also, without question, one of the chief supporters of the president's decision to run for reelection, and one of the chief deniers of his deterioration," the authors wrote. President Donald Trump's White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that Jill Biden should have to answer for her complicity in the "cover-up" of Biden's cognitive decline. Jill Biden Should Have To Answer For 'Cover-up' Of Former President's Decline, White House Says Leavitt pointed to how Jill Biden jumped in to defend her husband during their joint interview on "The View" this month as evidence the former first lady is still covering for her husband. Read On The Fox News App 'Intensely Loyal' Jill Biden Aide Despised By White House Staffers, New Book Claims As Biden's sister, Valerie "Val" Biden Owens, and his adult children, Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, stayed away from Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, Jill Biden took on a more prominent role, the book revealed. "She weighed in on potential hires and reviewed many of the campaign ads before they were aired. She campaigned hard and peppered aides with questions about how many reporters would be at her events," Tapper and Thompson said. Jill Biden sat for job interviews for White House aide candidates, and she "kept score" of which staffers were most loyal, with the help of her most trusted aide, Anthony Bernal, the book revealed. The White House began referring to Jill Biden's "spousal programming" events on foreign trips, and her team would request talking points, which Tapper and Thompson said some national security officials found strange. "[Bernal] had already begun planning the first lady's 2025 international travel schedule," Tapper and Thompson said. The first lady made an off-hand comment to French President Emmanuel Macron at a state dinner in 2022 about the difficult nature of campaigns and how she needed to stay in shape. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's daughter, Alexandra, overheard and found it odd, according to "Original Sin." "Alexandra then turned to the president and asked if they should toast to another campaign. He looked back at her like he didn't understand. Alexandra thought her mom looked shocked. Everyone quickly gathered themselves. With Macron, they toasted to four more years," the authors said. Dr. B was particularly sensitive when asked about Biden's age and ability, according to the authors. After Biden's consequential debate performance in the summer of 2024, The Associated Press reported that Jill and Hunter Biden were urging the president to continue his re-election campaign. Sources told AP the family "questioned how he was prepared for the debate by staff and wondered if they could have done something better." "Hunter privately talked about it as being the family against the world. People sensed a more manic quality in him post-debate. He was determined to save his dad," according to Tapper and Thompson. Soon after the debate, Jill Biden joined Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., on the campaign trail. After defending the president's re-election campaign to reporters, Stabenow brought up some of her colleagues' concerns about Biden continuing in the race. Jill Biden Accused Of 'Elder Abuse' By Washington Post Columnist For Pushing Husband To Seek Re-election "The First Lady didn't answer the senator's implied question, but she later fumed about it to White House staffers," the book alleged. A week later, Gov. Josh Shapiro, from the pivotal battleground state of Pennsylvania, told the president, "I have some concerns." However, before Biden could fully respond, the first lady was ushering him away. "Jill fumed with resentment about all the Democrats who she considered friends now pushing Biden out. She knew she had blundered in the aftermath of the debate with her belittling praise. She was only trying to help her husband in his moment of need. In the end, she told Biden: 'This is your decision. This is for you to decide,'" according to the book. Fox News Digital has written extensively dating back to the 2020 presidential campaign about Biden's cognitive decline and his inner circle's alleged role in covering it up. A Biden spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: Inside Jill Biden's political rise amid her husband's cognitive decline: Book
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Donald Trump shares false social media post saying Joe Biden was 'executed in 2020'
President Donald Trump reshared a post falsely saying former President Joe Biden was "executed in 2020," among other incorrect allegations. The false claims, made by another user on Truth Social and reposted by Trump on May 31, also included that "clones doubles & robotic engineered soulless mindless entities" have since substituted for the ex-commander-in-chief. Biden was not executed, and he is still alive today. He served four years in the White House from 2021 to 2025. He sought a second term as president before ending his campaign last summer following a bombshell debate against Trump. In May, Biden shared that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. The former president has said he's "optimistic" about a treatment plan for the disease. 'The expectation is we're going to be able to beat this," Biden told reporters at an event in his home state of Delaware. Biden has also not been cloned, as the original Truth Social post suggested. USA TODAY has reached out to the White House for more information about Trump's repost. The president's comments come after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called for former first lady Jill Biden to speak up about her husband's alleged mental decline, saying she conspired to keep her husband's health from the American people. Trump has previously targeted prior presidents with false theories. For years leading up to his first White House term, Trump promoted baseless claims that former President Barack Obama was born outside the United States. The 45th and now 47th president publicly admitted for the first time that Obama was born in America two months before the 2016 election, in which he defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Contributing: Sarah D. Wire This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump boosts false claim that Joe Biden was 'executed in 2020'
Fox News
16 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Inside Jill Biden's political rise amid her husband's cognitive decline: Book
Former President Joe Biden's inner circle considers first lady Jill Biden one of the most powerful first ladies in history, CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios political correspondent Alex Thompson reveal in their new book, "Original Sin." Jill Biden, a PhD whom White House staffers called "Dr. B" for short, was a reluctant political spouse in the early days of her husband's political career. During his presidential campaigns and into his presidency, the first lady became his staunchest defender and a "political partner in addition to a spouse," Thompson and Tapper wrote. "Dr. B was a strong, protective force in the White House. She was also, without question, one of the chief supporters of the president's decision to run for reelection, and one of the chief deniers of his deterioration," the authors wrote. President Donald Trump's White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that Jill Biden should have to answer for her complicity in the "cover-up" of Biden's cognitive decline. Leavitt pointed to how Jill Biden jumped in to defend her husband during their joint interview on "The View" this month as evidence the former first lady is still covering for her husband. As Biden's sister, Valerie "Val" Biden Owens, and his adult children, Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, stayed away from Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, Jill Biden took on a more prominent role, the book revealed. "She weighed in on potential hires and reviewed many of the campaign ads before they were aired. She campaigned hard and peppered aides with questions about how many reporters would be at her events," Tapper and Thompson said. Jill Biden sat for job interviews for White House aide candidates, and she "kept score" of which staffers were most loyal, with the help of her most trusted aide, Anthony Bernal, the book revealed. The White House began referring to Jill Biden's "spousal programming" events on foreign trips, and her team would request talking points, which Tapper and Thompson said some national security officials found strange. "[Bernal] had already begun planning the first lady's 2025 international travel schedule," Tapper and Thompson said. The first lady made an off-hand comment to French President Emmanuel Macron at a state dinner in 2022 about the difficult nature of campaigns and how she needed to stay in shape. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's daughter, Alexandra, overheard and found it odd, according to "Original Sin." "Alexandra then turned to the president and asked if they should toast to another campaign. He looked back at her like he didn't understand. Alexandra thought her mom looked shocked. Everyone quickly gathered themselves. With Macron, they toasted to four more years," the authors said. Dr. B was particularly sensitive when asked about Biden's age and ability, according to the authors. After Biden's consequential debate performance in the summer of 2024, The Associated Press reported that Jill and Hunter Biden were urging the president to continue his re-election campaign. Sources told AP the family "questioned how he was prepared for the debate by staff and wondered if they could have done something better." "Hunter privately talked about it as being the family against the world. People sensed a more manic quality in him post-debate. He was determined to save his dad," according to Tapper and Thompson. Soon after the debate, Jill Biden joined Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., on the campaign trail. After defending the president's re-election campaign to reporters, Stabenow brought up some of her colleagues' concerns about Biden continuing in the race. "The First Lady didn't answer the senator's implied question, but she later fumed about it to White House staffers," the book alleged. A week later, Gov. Josh Shapiro, from the pivotal battleground state of Pennsylvania, told the president, "I have some concerns." However, before Biden could fully respond, the first lady was ushering him away. "Jill fumed with resentment about all the Democrats who she considered friends now pushing Biden out. She knew she had blundered in the aftermath of the debate with her belittling praise. She was only trying to help her husband in his moment of need. In the end, she told Biden: 'This is your decision. This is for you to decide,'" according to the book. Fox News Digital has written extensively dating back to the 2020 presidential campaign about Biden's cognitive decline and his inner circle's alleged role in covering it up. A Biden spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Joe Biden makes first public appearance since cancer diagnosis — but Jill keeps low profile
Joe Biden made his first public appearance since being diagnosed with prostate cancer but his wife, Jill kept a low profile. The former president appeared in good spirits, although he coughed several times throughout the speech at a Memorial Day service in Delaware. Mrs Biden, who has been under intense scrutiny following the publication of a book which claimed her husband's declining mental state was covered up during his time in the White House, stayed under the radar. The book, Original Sin, by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, painted a picture of Mrs Biden silencing critics and rising to become 'one of the most powerful first ladies in history,' managing the White House behind the scenes. The couple have in recent months presented a united front, posing for a selfie together with their cat Willow, following the announcement of Mr Biden's cancer, and joining the hosts of The View for a joint interview. The controversial View interview ruffled some feathers, with Mrs Biden accused of speaking over her husband, finishing his sentences, and secretly communicating with him to stop speaking. Although the couple were pictured arriving at Veterans Memorial Park, Newcastle, on Friday, Mrs Biden was nowhere to be seen as her husband stepped behind the podium. She also did not appear to be sitting in the front few rows when he stepped away to sit back down. In other similar public appearances Mrs Biden has stood or sat nearby her husband, often greeting him once off-stage. Giving an impassioned speech, Mr Biden paid tribute to his late son Beau, who died of brain cancer 10 years ago. 'This day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it's a hard day,' he said. 'Being with all of you, quite frankly, makes things a little bit easier, it really does. So, thank you for allowing me to grieve with you,' he said. Mr Biden also applauded the US armed forces, and those who died in action. 'Folks, every year we come together to remember, to remember, to remember the brave women and men who gave their all for this nation, or as Lincoln called it, the last full measure of devotion. 'That's what it was, the last full measure of devotion. They laid down their lives so we could live our lives in peace,' he said. 'Only around one per cent of all Americans defend 99 per cent of us,' he added. 'Just one per cent of Americans risk the ultimate sacrifice. We owe them so much more than we can ever repay them.' Despite his diagnosis of late-stage prostate cancer, the 82-year-old former president appeared more forceful and vigorous than he had been in a while, particularly more-so than when he was the Democratic candidate, before being replaced by Kamala Harris. Claims that it was Mrs Biden who orchestrated the alleged cover-up of her husband's mental and physical decline show no sign of evaporating. The White House stepped into the fray with Karoline Leavitt, Mr Trump's press secretary, launching a personal attack on Mrs Biden. 'Frankly, the former first lady should certainly speak up about what we saw in regard to her husband and when she saw it and what she knew,' Ms Leavitt said. 'Because I think anybody looking, again, at the videos and photo evidence of Joe Biden with your own eyes and a bit of common sense can see this is a clear cover-up and Jill Biden was definitely complacent in that cover-up.' She added: 'They were just on The View last week. She was saying everything is fine. She's still lying to the American people. She still thinks the American public are so stupid ... And frankly, it's insulting and she needs to answer for it.'
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Biden makes first public remarks since cancer diagnosis, honors son Beau Biden 10 years after his death
Former President Joe Biden spoke in Delaware on Friday at a Memorial Day event held four days after the federal holiday — his first public remarks since his office announced he was diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer. Speaking at the annual event at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware, which is just south of his hometown of Wilmington, the former president talked about his son, Beau Biden, who died 10 years ago on May 30. "This day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it's a hard day," the former president said. "Being with all of you quite frankly makes things a little bit easier, it really does. So thank you for allowing me to grieve with you," he said. Beau Biden died after a battle with brain cancer. The former president noted that he served in the Delaware National Guard, saying, "His legacy lives on." "Just like the legacy of all our fallen heroes lives on, they live on in us and they live on in the strength and freedom of our nation," he said. "So everyone who came here today to grieve with grief in your heart, please know: you're not alone," he said. "You'll never be alone, and your loved one will never be forgotten." Earlier on Friday, pictures showed Biden and former first lady Jill Biden at Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington for a memorial mass. Former President Joe Biden arrives at Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church for a memorial mass 10 years after the death of the former president's son Beau Biden, in Wilmington, Delaware on May 30, 2025. ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Biden's office announced earlier this month he has cancer, categorized as having a Gleason score of 9, which places him in Grade Group 5, the most severe category. "Cancer touches us all," Biden, who is 82, said in a tweet earlier this month. "Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support." A spokesperson has said that Biden first learned of his cancer diagnosis in mid-May and that he was never previously diagnosed with prostate cancer. He did not undergo prostate cancer screening during his last medical checkup while in office, which was in February 2024, according to records at the time. His spokesperson said his last known prostate-specific antigen test, which is used to screen for prostate cancer, was in 2014. The screening is not generally recommended for men past the age of 70. , and contributed to this report.
