A senior aide to former President Biden reveals alarming details about the president’s mental decline during crucial debate preparation sessions, including falling asleep and confusion about his own role. Ron Klain, a top Biden aide, disclosed in a new book that Biden frequently dozed off during debate preparation sessions. Biden reportedly showed confusion about whether he was president of NATO or the United States. The 81-year-old former president appeared “fatigued, befuddled, and disengaged” during preparations for his debate with Trump. Similar to his actual debate with Trump.
Concerning Signs During Debate Preparation
A forthcoming tell-all book has revealed troubling details about former President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities during his preparation for debates with President Donald Trump. Ron Klain, one of Biden’s most senior aides, admitted that the 81-year-old president struggled significantly during these sessions, raising serious questions about his mental fitness for office. According to the book, Biden would frequently cut training sessions short because he was tired and would even fall asleep by the pool during crucial preparation time.
The revelations come from a new book by author Chris Whipple, which contains candid assessments from Klain about Biden’s condition. In one particularly concerning incident, Klain expressed worry that Biden might have been confused about his role, believing he was the president of NATO rather than the United States. This level of disorientation raises significant questions about Biden’s ability to fulfill his duties as commander-in-chief and head of state.
Ex-Biden advisor Ron Klain now says that Biden was “out of it” prior to debating Trump.
Post-debate, Klain sang a very different tune — claiming Biden was "sharp, fit on top of his game” — and that Biden should’ve stayed in the race.
The Biden coverup was the real "Big Lie." pic.twitter.com/lCdyG99DV4
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 2, 2025
Difficulty with Policy Discussions
Biden’s struggle with policy comprehension was another red flag noted in the book. His first debate training session reportedly had to be cut short due to difficulty grasping domestic policy issues. When Klain encouraged Biden to focus on “unfinished business” and economic policies during debate preparation, the president appeared confused, misinterpreting these policies as simply “big spending programs.” This fundamental misunderstanding of his own administration’s economic agenda points to potentially serious cognitive issues.
“Klain reportedly told Whipple that the then 81-year-old president “didn’t know what Trump had been saying and couldn’t grasp what the back and forth was” and would have to cut training sessions short because he was tired.” – Ron Klain
The book describes Biden as “out of touch” with the American people during this period, with his focus seemingly detached from domestic issues that voters care about. During the second training session, Biden reportedly expressed fatigue and a need for sleep, further underscoring concerns about his stamina and ability to maintain the energy levels required for the presidency.
The media covered up the biggest scandal in presidential history… and now they’re cashing in on it. We were told @JoeBiden was sharp as a tack, and any evidence that proved otherwise was a “cheap fake,” but now that the Democrats lost and the dust has settled — reporters are… pic.twitter.com/uWdFJMKYPW
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) April 3, 2025
The Disastrous Debate Performance
The concerns that emerged during debate preparation proved prescient when Biden finally faced Trump on the debate stage. Klain had feared the debate would be a “nationally televised disaster,” and many observers believe it was exactly that. Biden appeared disoriented at times, struggling to complete thoughts and maintain his train of argument. This poor performance is widely credited as a key factor in Biden’s eventual decision to exit the presidential race.
“The president was fatigued, befuddled, and disengaged,” the excerpt reads. “Klain feared the debate with Trump would be a nationally televised disaster.” – Chris Whipple
Aide’s Contradictory Defense
Despite documenting these concerning behaviors, Klain has publicly defended Biden’s capability to perform presidential duties. In a CNN interview, Klain drew a distinction between debate performance and job performance, insisting that Biden remains “up to the job” despite the evidence of cognitive decline. This contradiction raises questions about whether political loyalty has influenced Klain’s public statements about Biden’s fitness for office.
“I don’t deny that it was a bad debate performance; that’s different than whether or not the president is up to the job,” Klain told CNN. “He’s clearly up to the job. He’s doing it every day. He’s doing it successfully.” – Ron Klain
Klain’s book provides a rare insider glimpse into the private concerns that have existed within Biden’s inner circle regarding his cognitive abilities. While Biden’s supporters have consistently dismissed questions about his mental acuity as politically motivated attacks, these revelations from a trusted aide lend credibility to the concerns that many Americans have expressed about the former president’s capacity to serve effectively.