Bill Clinton Makes Strong Claim About Joe Biden’s Cognitive Health
Bill Clinton Defends Joe Biden’s Mental Fitness Amid Claims of Cognitive Decline
In a wide-ranging interview aired on CBS Sunday Morning, former President Bill Clinton offered a strong and personal defense of Joe Biden’s mental fitness during his presidency, pushing back against claims that Biden was not mentally capable of leading the country. His remarks come amid the growing political fallout from a new book, Original Sin, which alleges that Biden’s inner circle tried to conceal signs of his declining cognitive and physical health.
Asked directly whether he had ever seen signs that Biden was mentally unfit to serve, Clinton responded without hesitation: “No. I thought he was a good president.”
Clinton elaborated, saying: “We’d had several long talks. I had never seen him and walked away thinking, ‘He can’t do this anymore.’” He added that Biden was “always on top of his briefs,” suggesting that the former president remained engaged and informed throughout their conversations.
When correspondent Tracy Smith pressed further, asking if Clinton had ever personally observed any moments where Biden seemed confused or unable to process information, Clinton doubled down. “No,” he said firmly, adding that he had seen Biden “not very long ago” and thought “he was in good shape.”
The discussion was sparked by Original Sin, a recent book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios journalist Alex Thompson. The book paints a damning picture of Biden’s inner circle, accusing aides of shielding the public from the reality of the president’s declining health. The White House has pushed back, with a spokesperson telling Axios that “there were physical changes as [Biden] got older,” but added: “Evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity.”
Clinton, while acknowledging Biden’s advanced age, said it wasn’t out of the norm for leaders to serve well into their later years. “The only concern I thought he had to deal with was, could anybody do that job until they were 86?” he said, referencing Biden’s potential age at the end of a second term.
Clinton also revealed that he hadn’t read Original Sin, explaining: “I didn’t want to because he’s not president anymore, and I think he did a good job.” He added that the book, and the conversation surrounding it, felt like a “way to blame [Biden] for the fact that Trump was reelected.”
Indeed, Biden’s health and age became central issues during the 2024 election campaign, especially after a widely criticized debate performance in June of that year. His delivery was halting, and he appeared confused at times — a moment that crystallized doubts among voters. Soon after, Biden withdrew from the race, paving the way for then–Vice President Kamala Harris to step in as the Democratic nominee. She ultimately lost to Republican Donald Trump, who returned to the White House for a second term in January 2025.
Adding another layer to the discussion, Biden announced last month that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The diagnosis led to renewed scrutiny over whether the White House had been transparent about Biden’s health while he was still serving as president.
Still, Clinton remains a staunch supporter of Biden’s leadership. Reflecting on their conversations during Biden’s presidency, Clinton said: “I’ve known him a long time. He listens, he studies, and he makes decisions. I never saw a moment where I thought, ‘He’s not up to this.’”
As Democrats regroup after a tough election loss and debates over leadership persist, Clinton’s remarks are likely to resonate with those who continue to see Biden’s presidency in a positive light — while further igniting debate among critics who believe the party mismanaged how Biden’s health was presented to the public.
For more, you can watch Clinton’s full interview on CBS Sunday Morning.
Post Comment