Recordings Reveal Biden Memory Lapses Years Before Presidency

Audio recordings released by the Justice Department reveal that Joe Biden exhibited apparent memory lapses in conversations with his ghostwriter between late 2016 and early 2017, years before he became president, according to documents obtained by the Oversight Project through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

The release of these recordings has intensified scrutiny over when concerns about Biden's memory first arose and whether his inner circle was forthcoming about his condition. The tapes, which were made public as part of a special counsel investigation, have sparked renewed debate about the president's mental acuity and the transparency of those around him.

Recordings Detail Memory Lapses

The recordings, made during Biden's discussions with ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer from October 2016 to April 2017, capture several moments where Biden struggled to recall names and dates. On February 16, 2017, shortly after leaving the vice presidency, Biden paused while reading his own notes, stating, "I can’t read my own writing. Enormous progress, Pres and I have done. I’m not going to stand by and see it undone."

On April 24, 2017, Biden had difficulty recalling the names of two former Obama administration economic advisers, referring to one as "the guy at Princeton now" and another as "the guy back at the University of Chicago with the funny name." He added, "I should write the names down because I keep forgetting them." The individuals appeared to be Alan Krueger and Austan Goolsbee, both former chairmen of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

The recordings also include Biden questioning the timeline of his own tenure, asking Zwonitzer about the passage of the Affordable Care Act and appearing confused about the relevant dates. These moments, captured on tape, have fueled questions about when concerns over Biden's memory first became apparent and whether those close to him were aware of or concealed any issues.

Justice Department Releases Tapes

The Justice Department made the recordings public as part of special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified documents after his vice presidency. Hur declined to bring charges, citing in his 2024 report that a jury might view Biden as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."

The release of the tapes was prompted by a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the Oversight Project, a watchdog group. The tapes, which span several months, provide a rare glimpse into Biden's private conversations during the period between his vice presidency and his 2020 presidential campaign.

Reaction and Criticism

Mike Howell, president of the Oversight Project, argued that the tapes show signs of mental decline well before Biden's presidential campaign and accused Biden's associates of keeping the matter quiet. In a statement, Howell said, "These tapes have so many pauses and ‘ums’ that it sounds like Biden is buffering like a dial-up Internet connection. The knowledge of his deterioration was well-established. The sin of the autopen administration is corporate and accountability should be had on all enablers."

The Daily Signal reported reaching out to the Office of Joe and Jill Biden and to Creative Artists Agency, which represents Biden, for comment. Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo responded to The Associated Press, calling the release of the recordings an example of a "weaponized Department of Justice." Ducklo said the conversations were private and provided to the DOJ on the condition they remain confidential, adding, "Reversing course and making them public is just the latest example of this Administration weaponizing the DOJ for political retribution."

Ongoing Debate Over Fitness and Transparency

The release of these recordings comes amid ongoing debate over Biden's fitness for office and transparency from his advisers. The Justice Department's decision to make the tapes public has drawn criticism from Biden's team, while watchdog groups continue to press for accountability. The tapes have become a focal point in the broader discussion over the president's health and the responsibilities of those in his inner circle to be transparent with the public.

The recordings, which span the months immediately following Biden's time as vice president, provide new material for both critics and supporters to assess. While some argue that the tapes show normal lapses that can occur with age, others see them as evidence of a pattern that predates Biden's presidency.

For further details, see the original report from The Daily Signal here.