In a stunning admission that is igniting fierce political debate, CNN anchor Jake Tapper has acknowledged that the Democratic effort to hide former President Joe Biden’s mental and physical decline could be considered a scandal “maybe even worse than Watergate.”
Tapper made the admission during a recent interview with Piers Morgan on Piers Morgan Uncensored, while promoting his new book Original Sin, co-authored with Axios journalist Alex Thompson. The book details the behind-the-scenes efforts of top Democratic operatives to conceal Biden’s deteriorating health — a strategy that continued well into the 2024 campaign.
“It is a scandal. It is without question — and maybe even worse than Watergate in some ways,” Tapper said, underscoring the gravity of what he and Thompson had uncovered.
Though Tapper stops short of equating Biden with Richard Nixon, he draws an unsettling parallel between the two controversies. Watergate, he notes, involved illegal political espionage. But Biden’s case involves something arguably more personal and yet just as far-reaching — the manipulation of the electorate by hiding a president’s cognitive and physical decline.
Piers Morgan challenged Tapper’s conclusion in the book that the Biden cover-up wasn’t on the same level as Watergate, saying, “I am not entirely sure I agree with that conclusion.” Tapper responded by clarifying that the comparison was only intended to highlight the immense power of the presidency — quoting former Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox to that effect — but added that the Biden scandal was “an entirely separate scandal” that might even be worse.
The “Original Sin”: Hiding a President’s Decline
Original Sin provides a chilling narrative of how Biden’s inner circle worked diligently to minimize public exposure to his health issues. Among the book’s most disturbing revelations is an anecdote in which Biden failed to recognize long-time Democratic ally and Hollywood icon George Clooney, an incident that reportedly left the actor “shaken to his core.”
The book also describes how aides debated putting the president in a wheelchair to avoid public stumbles and devised elaborate plans to shield him from situations that might expose his frailty. These measures were not taken in the interest of the president’s health, the authors suggest, but to preserve his viability as a candidate — and maintain Democratic control of the White House.
The cover-up unraveled in spectacular fashion during the June 2024 presidential debate against Donald Trump, where Biden’s performance was widely perceived as confused and disoriented. His campaign ended within weeks of that showing.
A Journalist’s Regret
In a rare moment of introspection, Tapper has admitted that he, too, may have failed the American public in his role as a journalist during Biden’s presidency.
“I look back at my coverage during the Biden years — and I did cover some of these issues, but not enough,” Tapper said earlier this month on CNN. “I look back on it with humility.”
When asked by Morgan whether he owed the American people an apology, Tapper replied, “I feel like I owe the American people an acknowledgement that I wish I had covered the story better.”
Jake Tapper’s recent introspection, however, is being met with skepticism by many critics who argue it comes far too late — and falls far too short. While Tapper now admits he wishes he had covered Biden’s health more thoroughly, he notably stops short of issuing a full apology. This reluctance is drawing backlash, particularly in light of his past dismissal of concerns about Biden’s cognitive state. As early as 2020, Tapper publicly criticized figures like Lara Trump for raising questions about Biden’s mental fitness, accusing her of mocking the then-candidate’s “stutter.” Tapper’s forceful defense of Biden at the time is now being contrasted sharply with the revelations in Original Sin, leading some to view his newfound candor less as accountability and more as damage control or a cash grab.
A Brewing Political Firestorm
Tapper’s admission and the explosive contents of Original Sin have already sparked a political firestorm. Critics are accusing the Democratic Party of undermining democracy by concealing vital information from voters. Many argue that Tapper’s revelations demonstrate the need for greater transparency and accountability at the highest levels of power, regardless of party affiliation.
In the wake of the book’s release, Republicans have called for investigations into the cover-up, and political analysts are speculating that this controversy could redefine how presidential health is reported — and protected — in future campaigns.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the fallout from Original Sin may be just beginning. Whether or not the Biden health scandal truly eclipses Watergate, it has already left an indelible mark on America’s political and media landscape.
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