President Biden’s advisers are shielding his declining physical condition, which has Democratic officials furious.
In a cover story, CNN spoke to over two dozen anonymous donors, Biden allies and current and former Democratic officials about the president’s mental acuity, which came into further focus after last month’s presidential debate.
One fundraising attendee described him as “less cogent than usual” and said Biden did most of the listening while former President Barack Obama talked.
Those worries about Biden spilled over into the cabinet meetings. There is understood to have been a full cabinet meeting last October, but they are now “increasingly stage-managed” with talking points, questioners names, and more. Officials must also provide the questions in advance of meetings.
“The entire display is kind of an act,” one source told CNN. “They would come and say, ‘Hey, the president is going to call on you about 25 minutes in, and ask this question. What are the bullet points you’ll respond with?’”
Another source told the newspaper that those meetings were rare, “not free-wheeling and pretty well-orchestrated.”
Even behind closed doors, Democrats not directly affiliated with Biden’s advisers noted how the president is insulated and his events kept to a minimum because of awareness by the team around him that he has limitations.
One source told CNN, “There’s this general sense of just, unbelievable holding your breath every time he does an event, every time he’s with people,” one source said, according to CNN. They added that others have acknowledged, “This is going to get worse.”
However, the source also noted that advisers had been cracking down on public criticism.
“Everyone who expresses any level of suspicion or contrary views? They call everyone and they beat the s*** out of them and say: ‘Stay on message,’” the source said.
And with more Democrats, donors and, media commentators demanding Biden drop out, those sources anticipate an “erosion.”
A former Biden White House official told CNN Tuesday, “Expect a drip, drip, drip.”
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates responded to a request for comment from Fox News Digital by pointing out that everything Biden has done in public events and behind closed doors.
This White House also has thousands upon thousands of meetings every month, and the President is said to meet with some 2000 staff this year.
“The President frequently meets with a wide variety of diverse administration staff, ranging from policy experts to team members who engage with all manner of communities. Officials who meet with him frequently have spoken to his sharpness and command,” Bates said.
Bates also pointed out that Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack was quoted saying, “This is standard practice for any administration. There should not be surprises in cabinet meetings, be it under President Obama or President Biden. If a cabinet member has a question, you should let people know you’re going to ask it.”
Despite Biden’s supporters coming forward, more than a dozen Democratic House members have already said Biden should get out of the presidential race.
