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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Jake Tapper Compares Joe Biden Health 'Cover-Up' to Watergate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The author of a bombshell book laying bare former President Joe Biden's alleged declining mental faculties during his presidency says the scandal "may be even worse than Watergate." CNN journalist Jake Tapper made the claims during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, which was broadcast on YouTube on Monday. Tapper was appearing with his co-author Alex Thompson to promote their book Original Sin, in which several named insiders claim the former U.S. president was faltering physically and cognitively in a decline that was hidden from the American public. Newsweek reached out to representatives for Biden via email for comment. Why It Matters Biden stepped aside on the presidential campaign trail last year amid fears for his health and cognitive abilities, which left Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket. She later lost to Donald Trump, and some Democrats were furious at the bungled campaign, accusing Biden of damaging the party's chances by hanging on too long to power. Now, the book by Tapper and Thompson, which has shot to the top of the bestseller charts, suggests that senior members of Biden's administration were aware of his fragile health for some time before he stepped down. Then-President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on April 1, 2022. Then-President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on April 1, To Know Biden, 81, repeatedly insisted he was fit to serve a second term, despite regular barbs about his age from his rival, Trump, who was only marginally younger at 78. Trump described Biden as "cognitively impaired" in September 2023 and during the 2024 race pointed to a number of gaffes the then-president had made, such as falls, apparent confusion, and rambling speeches. The growing scandal about Biden's health was exacerbated when it emerged earlier this month that Biden is battling an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer. Some doctors suggested Biden and his team must have known about the cancer diagnosis before he left office. Howard Forman, a professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at the Yale School of Medicine, said it was "inconceivable" that Biden's cancer had not been discovered while he was in the White House. During his interview with Piers Morgan, Tapper compared the scale of the events to Watergate, the scandal that engulfed former President Richard Nixon in the 1970s. Nixon had denied any connection to a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Hotel in 1972, and the resulting cover-up eventually led to his resignation in 1974. Morgan questioned Tapper about the book's conclusion, and read aloud a passage stating: "Joe Biden is not Richard Nixon, and the hiding and cover-up of his deterioration is not Watergate." Morgan mused that he wasn't "entirely sure" he agreed with that sentiment. Tapper replied: "The next line is: 'It is an entirely separate scandal.' It is a scandal. It is, without question. And maybe even worse than Watergate in some ways, because Richard Nixon was in control of his faculties when he was not drinking. So the idea that, yeah, we don't mean to exonerate [Biden]." He also noted that the mention of Watergate followed an excerpt in the book in which former Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox had explained "how presidents get surrounded by people who have a vested interest in keeping that president propped up." Tapper also responded to claims that the media had a role to play. "In retrospect, of course, I wish my coverage had been better on this subject," he said. Then-President Joe Biden is helped to his feet after falling during the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado on June 1, 2023. Then-President Joe Biden is helped to his feet after falling during the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado on June 1, 2023. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Image What People Are Saying Former President Joe Biden said on ABC's The View this month that he would have won if he'd stayed in the 2024 presidential race: "I was confident I would beat Trump. He's a loser." Biden shared a photo of himself with his wife Jill Biden on X (formerly Twitter) after his cancer diagnosis:"Cancer touches us all. 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." What Happens Next The political fallout over Biden's health will rumble on as the authors continue to promote their book and the Democrats turn inward to review the past and look for mistakes or even wrongdoing. The Republican Party, with Trump at its helm, will be hoping to make much political capital from the allegations.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Joe Rogan Says China 'On Verge of Passing' US in 'Many Areas'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Podcaster Joe Rogan has said China is "on the verge of passing" the United States in "many areas" such as drones and electric cars. Why It Matters Rogan, one of the world's most-listened-to podcasters, was discussing global affairs with comedian Jimmy Carr in a Joe Rogan Experience episode uploaded on May 23. His comments reflect a broader debate over the shifting global balance of power, as the U.S. and its allies navigate a world increasingly defined by competition with China. On top of this, global dynamics are shifting under Donald Trump's presidency, with concerns about opportunities for Beijing to woo U.S. allies in the face of Trump's tariffs and rhetoric about places like Greenland and the Panama Canal. Joe Rogan is seen during a weigh-in before UFC 211 on May 12, 2017, in Dallas. Joe Rogan is seen during a weigh-in before UFC 211 on May 12, 2017, in Dallas. AP What To Know Carr was talking about the American constitution, how it gives people agency and "the flourishing that's come out of it." "Look at what it's achieved," he said. "Imagine if something like that happens in China—imagine—in our lifetime that they go with a different system." He went on to compare China to a "covers band" saying it "has its own version of Facebook and its own version of Google." "What is it about America that allows this entrepreneurial spirit, that allows Silicon Valley to happen?" Carr asked. Rogan said: "Well they've got a very interesting approach because they still have a very entrepreneurial spirit as well. They've got a weird sort of merging of communism and capitalism. Like it's state-run capitalism." "But they still have insane innovation," he continued. "Like China's technological innovation is probably greater than ours—in a lot of areas. In the areas of electrical vehicles for sure. In the areas of drones for sure." Rogan went on to discuss China's "spectacular drone capabilities" and electric cars "you'd have no idea you don't follow these obscure car review people online that review Chinese electric cars." "Insane technology inside the vehicles, like spectacular-looking cars," Rogan said. "They're on the verge of passing us in many areas because there's a lot of regulation in regards to drone technology in particular in this country." What People Are Saying Donald Trump made similar comments about China and electric vehicles before the 2024 election: "China's eating our lunch right now," Trump said while criticizing what he considered a lack of tariffs imposed on China by former President Joe Biden. "We're losing," he said later talking about electric vehicles. "They're all gonna be made in China," he added. Robert D. Atkinson, founder of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a public policy think tank, wrote last September: "There may be no more important question for the West's competitive position in advanced industries than whether China is becoming a rival innovator. While the evidence suggests it hasn't yet taken the overall lead, it has pulled ahead in certain areas, and in many others Chinese firms will likely equal or surpass Western firms within a decade or so." What Happens Next The growing rivalry between the U.S. and China is likely to remain a central issue in global affairs, with potential flashpoints in trade, technology and geopolitics. It remains to be seen how Trump's tariff war and his changes to regulations in the United States will play into this.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Testy Jordan Peterson Exchange During Christianity Debate Viewed 3.4M Times
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An exchange between Jordan Peterson and an atheist debater has gone viral after the famous psychologist and author refused to identify himself as a Christian. Why It Matters Peterson debated around 20 atheists on the YouTube channel Jubilee, which was uploaded on May 25. A small snippet of the video has gone viral on X, formerly Twitter, with one post garnering 3.4 million views. The person who posted the clip, YungPutin1, wrote: "Atheist wins debate by asking other side if he's really Christian." What To Know Peterson, the author of self-help book 12 Rules for Life, would not say whether he was a Christian in a Jubilee debate with a number of atheists. When a debater who introduced himself as Danny said to Peterson, "You're a Christian," Peterson answered: "You say that, I haven't claimed that." "What is this?" Danny asked, "Christians versus atheists," referring to the title of the debate. While the video is now entitled Jordan Peterson vs 20 atheists, it is was originally called 1 Christian vs 20 atheists, according to an archived version of the page on WaybackMachine. Danny later asked: "Either you're a Christian or you're not, which one is it?" "I could be either of them, but I don't have to tell you," Peterson said, adding afterward: "It's private." "I was invited to talk to a Christian," Danny said, "Am I not talking to a Christian?" He then said: "I think everyone should look at the title of the YouTube channel, you're probably in the wrong YouTube video." "You're really quite something you are," Peterson said. "Aren't ?" Danny replied. "But you are really quite nothing, right, you're not a Christian…" Peterson then interrupted him to say: "OK, I'm done with him." Newsweek has contacted Jubilee via email for comment. During a debate titled "One Christian vs. Twenty Atheists," Jordan Peterson was pressed to identify himself as a Christian but awkwardly refused. — YungPut1n (@YungPutin1) May 25, 2025 Peterson has often given nuanced and somewhat complicated answers to whether he is a Christian or not, despite clearly advocating for many biblical values and stories. In his book We Who Wrestle With God, he writes about the psychological significance of Bible stories. In a January interview with The Spectator, editor and former U.K. government minister Michael Gove asked Peterson directly if he was a Christian. "I would say in the deepest sense, yes," Peterson answered. "But I'm not a typical Christian because I'm striving for understanding above all." "I suppose people might pillory me as agnostic, but that's not true because I don't believe that the proper relationship between this underlying unity and myself would be established as a consequence of intellectual conquest," he continued. Jordan Peterson speaking during the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in east London on Monday February 17, 2025. Jordan Peterson speaking during the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in east London on Monday February 17, 2025. AP What People Are Saying Conservative commentator Candace Owens has criticized Peterson's unclear stance before. In an April episode of her podcast, she said: "Despite the fact that [Peterson] speaks about God a lot, he has never declared himself to be a Christian." "What does he actually believe?" she asked later. "He has definitely elected himself as an academic leader of faith and that again can register as quite confusing because we don't know what he believes." Jordan Peterson told The Spectator: "I'm a new kind of Christian. How about that? The manner in which I'm discussing these stories in my work has attracted a wide attention from precisely the people who were most disenchanted with the approach of the classic churches." What Happens Next Peterson has not yet commented publicly on the Jubilee debate.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Joe Rogan's Aaron Rodgers Interview Sparks Anger
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Joe Rogan has been criticized for his interview with NFL star Aaron Rodgers on a new episode of his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. Newsweek reached out to Rogan's representative via email for comment. Why It Matters Rogan, 57, is one of the most popular podcast hosts in the world. He often tops Spotify's podcast charts with The Joe Rogan Experience, which he launched in 2009. Rodgers played for the Green Bay Packers for 18 seasons from 2005 until 2022. The 41-year-old was traded to the New York Jets in 2023, where he played for two seasons, before being released by the team in 2025. Rodgers' future with the NFL currently remains uncertain. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show last month, the California native said he's "open to anything and attached to nothing." Possibilities include retirement or a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers. What To Know During Wednesday's episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan and Rodgers discussed a variety of subjects, including Elon Musk, Netflix, the UFC, vaccines and New Jersey's mystery drones. However, one topic that was noticeably missing was football, disappointing fans. Following their discussion, Rodgers took to his Instagram Stories to share an advertisement for his episode with Rogan. The backlash comes just days after Rogan was called out for his lack of enthusiasm while speaking with chef Guy Fieri. Social media users accused the former Fear Factor host of being "uninterested and rude." L: Joe Rogan performs comedy in Universal City, California, on April 3, 2010. R: Aaron Rodgers attends an event in New York City on June 13, 2023. L: Joe Rogan performs comedy in Universal City, California, on April 3, 2010. R: Aaron Rodgers attends an event in New York City on June 13, 2023. Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic; Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Aston Martin What People Are Saying In the comments underneath the podcast on Spotify and YouTube, fans criticized Rogan for not discussing Rodgers' future with the NFL. Spotify user Eric Vernon commented: "So... You have an NFL QB on and don't even mention football... Bold strategy Joe..." raymond commented: "I wonder Does Joe know Aaron is actually one of the greatest QB's to play football." goowson commented: "Would have loved more NFL talk from an NFL legend." kobra300 commented: "Anyone else tired of hearinging Joe talking about insert same 3 topics we've heard 100 times when he's talking to a famous chef or Aaron like I want to hear about their lives or crazy stories not about covid again for the 5th straight year." Benny Kemm commented: "I feel like im listening to the same conversation every episode regardless of guests. Come on Joe. Learn some football er something." Drew Batson commented: "Over halfway through wondering if they're ever gonna talk football." Drew Geffner commented: "If only Joe knew some ball this podcast would be way better. This was the same s*** as every other Rogan podcast from the last 8 months." On YouTube, fans of the show echoed similar sentiments, with many specifically wondering if Rodgers will move to the Steelers. YouTube user @mikejames7684 commented: "Halfway through. Just a JRE greatest hits at this point. Covid, UFC, comedy. I wish Aaron would talk about football. Cmon." @trebordrum said in a comment with 781 likes: "Aaron Rodgers just on Rogan to tease the Steelers." @ericcase9114 said in a comment with 265 likes: "Here I am waiting for Rodgers to sign with my beloved Steelers and here he is..." @InspectorButters4 commented: "1:39:45 this has been a great pod, but.......... we're 1.5hrs in and I wanna know WHATS UP WITH THE STEELERS BRO!!!" Others, meanwhile, defended Rogan and the interview. YouTube user @Drop9071 commented: "Every time I hear a conversation with Aaron Rodgers it's always interesting on an intellectual level. I really enjoyed this conversation, especially because I share similar views as him on quite a few topics." @darrenpurves6150 commented: "Aaron very easy to listen to, and very knowledgeable." Shell73 commented: "Thanks for all you do joe, it's fantastic to just hear a different point of view." What Happens Next The Joe Rogan Experience releases new episodes of the podcast weekly on platforms like Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Paige DeSorbo Slams 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Taylor Frankie Paul Mom
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Summer House's Paige DeSorbo publicly criticized the parents of Taylor Frankie Paul, one of the stars of Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, after an episode aired showing their remarks about Paul's pregnancy and her relationship with Dakota Mortensen. "I've always loved her because her family sucks," DeSorbo said on Tuesday's episode of her Giggly Squad podcast. Newsweek reached out to a representative for Paul via email for comment. Why It Matters DeSorbo's comments echo what a lot of viewers felt watching the scene, and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has sparked broader discussions about sexuality and the treatment of women in religious organizations. In the show, the women navigate the traditions and rules of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while trying to fit into a modern world. The show gives viewers a glimpse into the women trying to balance the traditional role women are "supposed" to play, given their upbringing in the church, while also often being the breadwinners and having independence from their husbands and partners. What To Know DeSorbo described Paul's parents as "some of the worst people I've ever listened to on reality TV," citing their comments toward Paul as she navigated cheating allegations and a new baby. The new season of the show showed Paul's mother, Liann, staging a family intervention to urge her daughter to make peace with Mortensen for the sake of their son. During the dinner, Paul explains how hurt she was that Mortensen was taking another girl out on dates and just hanging out with her at night when the two would sleep together. She said that she felt like "trash to him" when she found out he was hanging out with another girl when he told her he wasn't seeing anyone else. Paul's stepfather, Jeremy, directly questioned her for having sex with Mortensen after only three dates, asking, "What does that say about you?" Paul, who's very emotional at this point, agrees that she "was trash," and later says in a confessional that the message she got from her family was "you deserved what you got because you gave it up so easily." L: Paige DeSorbo at "Good Morning America" in New York on April 14, 2025. R: Taylor Frankie Paul at the CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 20, 2024. L: Paige DeSorbo at "Good Morning America" in New York on April 14, 2025. R: Taylor Frankie Paul at the CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 20, 2024. Raymond Hall/GC Images/Taylor Hill/WireImage The family's comments sparked a lot of social media backlash, and DeSorbo, who says she loves Paul, didn't hold back on her own criticism of Paul's parents. "The way they spoke to this girl that her boyfriend who she just had a baby with, cheated on her and lied pretty much the whole beginning of their relationship. They literally told her that she deserved it because she had sex with him after like three times of hanging out," DeSorbo said. In response to a TikTok comment about her family being toxic, Paul said she appreciated the comment and that she loves her family. From a young age, she said her family has been through a lot and "just need to find their healing too." What People Are Saying Paige DeSorbo, on Tuesday's episode of her podcast Giggly Squad: "Go to in the country. Like what are you talking about? I just felt so bad for her in that moment." Hannah Berner, co-host of Giggly Squad: "He wanted it too. It's not like she forced it on him." Taylor Frankie Paul defended her family on Instagram: "I know this is a harsh scene. Believe me when I say my family is my biggest support system. There was a lot going on and emotions were heightened. They have held me at my lowest every time. Hard moment for us all. I love them we all cried watching> I promise they are the ones always here for me." What Happens Next The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is doing huge viewership numbers for Hulu, and in the fall, production announced there would be another 20 episodes of the show. With only 10 episodes airing so far for Season 2, fans have questioned if there could be a part two of this season or if they'll have to wait for Season 3 for more.
