(NewsNation) — Aides to President Joe Biden privately discussed whether he would need a wheelchair if he won reelection, according to a new book.
The book, written by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, comes out later this month and Axios first reported the story about the concerns over Biden’s physical deterioration.
The former president’s declining health and spinal degeneration in 2023 and 2024 were so severe that aides feared he might need a wheelchair, even as they attempted to conceal the reality of his condition during the election.
While using a wheelchair or any other mobility aid doesn’t mean a person is suffering from mental deterioration, aides believed that Biden using a wheelchair during the campaign would harm him politically.
Biden’s walk had become halting, and his doctor, Kevin O’Connor, warned that if he had another bad fall, a wheelchair could be necessary for his recovery.
After Biden tripped over a sandbag at the Air Force Academy in the summer of 2023, aides reportedly began taking steps to avoid another incident.
Those included figuring out shorter walking paths, using handrails for steps to the stage at appearances, increased briefings so he knew exactly what steps he was expected to take and having him wear sneakers more often.
According to the authors, Biden’s doctor had expressed concerns over the effect the presidency was having on Biden’s health, arguing with political officials to allow more time for Biden to rest and saying the president’s staff were trying to kill him.
When questioned by reporters, Biden aides repeatedly said his walk was the result of a fractured foot in 2020 and his refusal to consistently use a walking boot while he healed.
But O’Connor had previously said that Biden’s ankle had healed completely as expected. In his public statements on the president’s health, he attributed the change in Biden’s gait to mild post-fracture arthritis and significant spinal arthritis.
Biden’s age became a front-and-center issue after his performance at a presidential debate, which led to pressure for him to resign from the race.
After three weeks of public and private pressure, Biden eventually did bow out, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee.
When asked about the book, Axios reported that a Biden spokesperson emphasized that any physical health changes the president experienced were not evidence of mental incapacity and said the president had been transparent about his issues