I read "Original Sin" cover to cover. Here are the 8 things you need to know.
My takeaways from a bombshell book.
“Original Sin” is out today.
I got an early copy and finished the entire book last night. I took copious notes in the margins and wanted to share my 8 biggest takeaways from the book with you.
They’re below.
The short summary goes like this: The book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson is a deeply-reported and damning portrait of an active cover-up by the advisers closest to Joe Biden. Led by Jill Biden, they sought to keep the truth of his increasing physical and mental struggles — beginning in 2022 — from the media, the public and even other members of the White House staff.
This is a book that will deeply affect how Biden is viewed by his party, the media and history.
My takeaways are behind the paywall. This is the sort of unique analysis and perspective that I believe you can’t find anywhere else. I hope you consider becoming an investor in me and what I am building. A paid subscription is $6 a month or $60 a year!
1. The Politburo did this
Early in the book, Jake and Alex identify a group of the most senior Biden advisers that are called “The Politburo.” At the core of that group are First Lady Jill Biden as well as longtime Biden advisers Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti. (Ron Klain, Biden’s first White House chief of staff, passes in and out of The Politburo but appears to be mostly on the outside once he left his post in February 2023.)
Time and time again in the book, that trio are the final gatekeepers to Biden. They work to limit access to him. And, most importantly, they repeatedly deny the reality that is staring them in the face: Biden was aging and declining rapidly in the second half of his term.
As I read the book, I found myself writing “Donilon!” over and over again. Because Mike Donilon seemed to be at the tip of the spear — protecting his bell cow at all costs.
There’s an episode in the book where Donilon demands a $4 million payment to leave the White House and work for the campaign. Aides balked. Biden told them to pay it. After the disastrous June 27 debate, Donilon — contra all evidence — insisted that the polling suggested Biden could still win. Donilon (and Ricchetti) refused to pass along the concerns of Democratic Senators to Biden. And on and on it goes.
It’s appalling stuff. Because it’s totally clear that this group cared more about keeping Biden in power (and protecting their access to that power) than they did about the Democratic party or the country.
