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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chicago voices featured in bombshell political book about President Biden
The Brief Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book "Original Sin" explores President Biden's alleged cognitive decline. The book includes accounts from over 200 interviews, including Chicago figures like David Axelrod and Rep. Mike Quigley. Key scenes depict aides shielding Biden's condition from the public, and even attacking reporters for looking into it. CHICAGO - It's the most talked about political book of the year — "Original Sin" — about former President Joe Biden's decline, and the alleged efforts to hide his condition from the public. What we know Co-authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson were in Chicago on Thursday and spoke with FOX 32's Paris Schutz. Tapper and co-author Alex Thompson say they were shocked at what they learned from over 200 interviews with folks who had direct access to Biden. There are several Chicago connections in the book — namely political guru David Axelrod publicly calling for Biden not to run again — and an observation from Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley, who was worried by what he saw when he interacted with Biden on a 2023 trip to Ireland. "He notices that Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden seems to be trying to control his father's energy, saying, 'Hey, I thought you were gonna rest,'" said Thompson, political reporter with Axios. "His dad had died of Parkinson's," Tapper said. "And he is watching Joe Biden behind the scenes and it reminds him very poignantly about his father's decline – both the way he would get energy, and the way the air would go out of the balloon." Dig deeper The book details the extent to which close Biden aides would shield his condition from the public, and even attack reporters for looking into it. In one of the book's pivotal scenes, actor George Clooney flies home from a film shoot overseas to host a major dollar fundraiser – only to have his jaw drop upon his encounter with Biden. "They'd known each other for a while. Clooney had thrown major fundraisers for him for years. He is stunned. Joe Biden walks up to him with an aide at this fundraiser and he doesn't seem to recognize George Clooney, who he's known for many years, who is throwing him this fundraiser, and who is one of the most recognizable faces in the world." The Source FOX 32's Paris Schutz reported on this story.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kankakee mourns George Ryan, former Illinois governor who rose from local roots
The Brief Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan was remembered in his hometown of Kankakee as a devoted family man and bipartisan political leader during a funeral service Thursday. Ryan, who died at 91, rose from pharmacist to governor, but his career was later overshadowed by a corruption scandal that led to prison time. Attendees also praised his decision to suspend the death penalty in Illinois, citing his concerns about fairness in the justice system. KANKAKEE, Ill. - Kankakee residents joined Illinois political veterans on Thursday to honor former Gov. George Ryan at a funeral service held at Asbury United Methodist Church in his hometown. What we know Though Ryan achieved statewide political fame, many in Kankakee remembered him simply as a family man. "He was a good husband. He loved his family," said Pastor Scott Henley, who presided over the funeral service. "And that's what we're going to try to remember today and celebrate." The former governor's family, including his four daughters and son, arrived at the memorial service after laying Ryan to rest at a private internment service in the morning. Ryan was 91 years old when he passed away last week. He got his start as a pharmacist in Kankakee, then moved into politics, eventually becoming a Republican House speaker, lieutenant governor, Secretary of State and finally Illinois' governor. "There aren't too many Republicans in Illinois," said political analyst Thom Serafin, who attended the funeral. "But this guy went from local all the way to the top in Illinois. So there was something there." Ryan's Legacy Ryan was remembered as an old-school politician and a dealmaker who could work with both sides of the aisle. "In those days, we would work together," said former Cook County Democratic powerhouse Joe Berrios, who served in the legislature. "We'd go out and hang out together. We'd go out and talk to each other about what's going on in Springfield and what they needed in their district." Ryan's legacy is tarnished by the licenses for bribes scandal, which landed him in federal prison for a number of years. But he was also remembered Thursday for suspending Illinois' death penalty, a political about-face prompted by problems in the justice system. "It wasn't that he was an opposition to the death penalty," said Ryan's longtime friend Hedy Ratner. "He was in opposition to what is unfair." The Source FOX 32's Dane Placko reported on this story.
