Biden on ‘Original Sin' authors: ‘I can beat the hell out of both of them'
Biden was asked about chatter regarding his health stemming from a new book, 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again' by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson after speaking at an event in Delaware on Friday.
'You can see that I'm mentally incompetent, I can't walk — and I can beat the hell out of both of them,' Biden said with a smirk while speaking with reporters.
The former president was asked if he wanted to respond to any of the reporting in the book, which revealed the extent to which top White House aides were kept in the dark about his condition, or to questions among Democrats whether he should have run for reelection.
'Why didn't they run against me then?' Biden replied. 'Because I'd have beaten them.'
Biden announced earlier this month he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and Friday's remarks were his first since the announcement.
The former president said his doctors are 'optimistic' about his prognosis.
Tapper and Thompson's book has given fuel to attacks from President Trump and his allies alleging a 'cover-up' of Biden's condition by Democrats and media outlets.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Petition Demanding Pam Bondi Resign Receives Thousands of Signatures
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A petition calling for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to resign now has more than 29,000 signatures in the wake of the backlash to how she and the Donald Trump administration have handled the Jeffrey Epstein files. While the petition was not started over the current Epstein scandal, it has received a significant uptick in signatures over the past week, while the controversy has dominated headlines and social media. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Justice (DOJ), via online contact form, for comment. Why It Matters The petition was started over the perceived erosion of the DOJ's independence under Bondi's tenure. Critics argue that Bondi has acted primarily as a figurehead, allowing White House adviser Stephen Miller to influence key departmental decisions despite his lack of legal training, citing a New York Times report that came out in May calling her a "TV messenger." The piece quoted the Department of Justice's former pardon lawyer Elizabeth Oyer, who was fired for refusing to grant gun ownership rights to actor Mel Gibson. "The decisions are being made at the White House, and then they're being pushed down to the Department of Justice, which is very, very atypical," Oyer said. But, over the last seven days, while Bondi has faced renewed scrutiny following the announcement from the DOJ and the FBI saying that Epstein committed suicide, that there was no client list and no evidence of Epstein blackmailing powerful figures, more than 2,000 people have added their signatures. Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, listens as President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, listens as President Donald Trump, right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. AP The FBI and DOJ memo has drawn backlash from both Democrats and Trump's MAGA base, who had expected more transparency, especially after Bondi fueled speculation about a client list in February, answered a question about the client list by saying: "It's on my desk right now." One supporter of the petition, Linda P. from Indiana, commented: "Bondi said that the Epstein client list was sitting on her desk, but now it doesn't exist. She cannot be trusted to head the DOJ." Amanda S, from Louisiana, said: "I'm sick of the lies and cover up." Kim T. from Maryland described what has happened with the Epstein files as "an act of prestidigitation that is unacceptable." Bondi did go on to release Epstein files, but they were full of information that has been in the public domain for years. MAGA activist Laura Loomer is one of several major MAGA figures who has demanded Bondi's immediate resignation. "Pam Blondi is very damaging to President Trump's image. She drags the administration down and the base doesn't want her as AG," Loomer wrote in a post on X. "She is harming Trump's administration and she's embarrassing all of his staff and advisors by creating a PR crisis for them. It's incredibly unfair to President Trump and his team." What People Are Saying President Donald Trump addressed a reporter questioning Bondi about the Epstein files: "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein at a time like this where we're having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas. It just seems like a desecration." Trump defended Bondi in a post on Truth Social on Saturday night, saying: "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it's Epstein, over and over again. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said: "All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo's composition and release is patently false." What Happens Next The Trump administration is under growing pressure to address demands for transparency over the Epstein files. It all comes ahead of the November midterms, which top MAGA figure Steve Bannon has warned could see Trump losing seats over the Epstein files.
Axios
8 minutes ago
- Axios
Trump to help supply missiles for Ukraine in major policy shift
President Trump announced Monday that the U.S. will dramatically increase weapons supplies to European allies, with those countries then sending arms to Ukraine. The supplies ultimately bound for Ukraine include missiles and air defense weaponry. Why it matters: This is a seismic policy shift from Trump, who originally refused to side with Ukraine and until very recently insisted he would only supply defensive weapons so as not to escalate the war. Driving the news: Speaking at the White House alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said the U.S. would send "the best" military equipment in the world to NATO allies, with those countries footing the bill. Rutte said this would allow Ukraine to obtain "massive supplies" of weapons, including air defense and missiles. While Trump did not provide details about the weapons systems that will be included, he did mention missiles. Two sources told Axios the plan would include long-range missiles that could strike deep inside Russia. The big picture: U.S., Ukrainian and European officials hope the weapons will shift the trajectory of the war and change Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculations regarding a ceasefire. The scheme for European countries to pay for U.S.-made weapons that will be sent to Ukraine was proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit two weeks ago. As Trump grew increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly after their fruitless July 3 phone call, the idea started to turn into a reality. What to watch: Trump said he would be imposing "very severe tariffs" if there is no deal with Russia in "about 50 days."
Los Angeles Times
16 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Israeli strikes kill 30 in Gaza, health officials say
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Monday killed at least 30 people, according to local hospitals. The Israeli military meanwhile said it killed a senior Hamas militant last month who had held a hostage in his home. The 21-month war triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack is raging on after two days of talks between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended last week with no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release. Twelve people were killed by strikes in southern Gaza, including three who were waiting at an aid distribution point, according to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which received the bodies. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City also received 12 bodies, including three children and two women, after a series of strikes in the north, according to the hospital's director, Dr. Mohammed Abu Selmia. Al Awda Hospital in central Gaza reported six killed and eight wounded in strikes in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. The military said a June 19 strike killed Muhammad Nasr Ali Quneita, who it said had taken part in the Oct. 7 attack and held hostage Emily Damari, a dual Israeli-British citizen, in his home at the start of the war. There was no comment from Hamas nor independent confirmation. Thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel that day, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 people, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. The militants are still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and is led by medical professionals. The United Nations and other experts consider its figures to be the most reliable count of war casualties. Israel's air and ground war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and driven some 90% of the population from their homes. Aid groups say they have struggled to bring in food and other assistance because of Israeli military restrictions and the breakdown of law and order, and experts have warned of famine. Shurafa, Khaled and Aljoud write for the Associated Press. Khaled reported from Cairo and AlJoud from Beirut.
