An excerpt from a recent audio recording of a prosecutor's interview with President Joe Biden has surfaced, showcasing the president speaking slowly and often pausing as he attempts to recount significant events in his life. This includes the tragic death of his son, Beau Biden, his departure from the vice presidency, and the release of his book. The audio, which was obtained by Axios, does not introduce any new information; the written transcript of special counsel Robert K. Hur’s interview with Biden had already been publicly released in March 2024. Hur was investigating claims that Biden mishandled sensitive documents after leaving the vice presidency in 2017. However, the long pauses and the rambling nature of Biden's responses during this high-stakes session are notable.
Former President Donald Trump, now 78, has consistently criticized Biden, who is 82, suggesting that he is aging and mentally slow. Trump's vocal critiques have raised expectations that he would release the audio recording of Biden’s interview, something the Biden administration has refrained from doing. On the day the audio was released, Trump stated that it was up to Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine the timing of the audio's disclosure. In response, Biden spokeswoman Kelly Scully downplayed the significance of the audio, saying, “The transcripts were released by the Biden administration more than a year ago. The audio does nothing but confirm what is already public.”
Trump himself has faced scrutiny regarding mishandling classified documents after leaving office. The allegations against him are broader in scope, as special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump for allegedly taking hundreds of classified documents to his residence in Florida post-presidency. Although a federal judge initially ruled that Smith lacked jurisdiction, he later appealed but ultimately dropped the case after Trump was re-elected.
Questions regarding Biden’s capacity as he approaches the end of his presidency have resurfaced recently, particularly following the release of a book titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. The book alleges that Biden's aides concealed his declining condition from the public—a claim that Biden’s office has categorically denied.
The audio excerpt, which lasts about four minutes, is part of a more extensive interview conducted over two days. During the session, Hur inquires about the location of documents related to Biden's projects during 2017-2018. Biden hesitates, stating, “Well, I, I, I, I, I, I don’t know, this is what, 2017, ’18, that area?” He struggles to recall the timeline, mentioning, “Remember, in this time frame, my son was either deployed or is dying,” referring to Beau's death in 2015.
As the conversation continues, Biden grapples with his memories, stating, “What was happening, though — what month did Beau die? Oh god, May 30th. Was it 2015?” After some reminders, he acknowledges that Trump was elected in 2016, not 2017. As Biden reminisces about Beau and their close relationship, he experiences numerous long pauses, possibly overwhelmed by emotion.
The interviews took place shortly after the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, a critical moment in Biden's presidency. He shared, “In 2017, Beau had passed and … This is personal … The genesis of the book was … I know you’re all close with your sons and daughters, but Beau was like my right arm, and Hunter was my left.” The conversation veered far from the initial topic about document storage, illustrating Biden’s emotional state.
Despite the ongoing debate about Biden's mental acuity, his office has emphasized that no allegations have surfaced indicating he struggles to make decisions or perform his presidential duties. A spokesperson stated, “We continue to await anything that shows where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision or where national security was threatened or where he was unable to do his job. In fact, the evidence points to the opposite — he was a very effective president.”
In early 2024, special counsel Hur chose not to file charges against Biden for mishandling classified documents, suggesting that jurors might view him as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” This characterization sparked outrage among Democrats, particularly as Biden was a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for president at the time. While Biden has faced challenges with gaffes throughout his extensive public career, supporters argue that these verbal slips do not reflect his mental capabilities.
As Biden continues to navigate his presidency, the recent book publication and his television appearances have prompted introspection among Democrats regarding the management of the last election cycle. Biden's late withdrawal from the 2024 race has limited opportunities for other prominent figures to emerge, compressing the timeline for Vice President Kamala Harris to introduce herself as the nominee and articulate her vision to voters.
