The Briefing with Albert Mohler – Episode Summary Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Introduction

In the May 28, 2025 episode of The Briefing with Albert Mohler, host R. Albert Mohler, Jr. delves into a pressing political controversy surrounding President Joe Biden. Drawing from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's newly released book, Original Sin, Mohler examines the alleged cover-up of Biden's cognitive decline and its ramifications for American governance and national security.

1. The Release and Impact of Original Sin

Albert Mohler opens the episode by discussing the swift rise of Original Sin to the bestseller list, highlighting its controversial examination of President Biden's cognitive health and the alleged efforts to conceal his decline.

• Key Points:

  • The book addresses what Mohler terms "one of the most important cover-ups in American presidential history."
  • The widespread complicity in this cover-up, including involvement from the White House, is emphasized.
  • A satirical piece by the Babylon Bee, titled "Jake Tapper uncovers startling evidence that Biden's Decline was Covered up by Jake Tapper," underscores the extent of the alleged conspiracy.

• Notable Quote:

  “There are always those who are in an inner circle. There are always those who have a lot of access. And it turns out that in this case, there were a lot of those who were engaged in the great lie and cover up about Joe Biden's cognitive decline.” [03:45]

2. The Presidency: Power and Vulnerability

Mohler contextualizes the significance of the presidency, comparing it to a modern-day monarchy in terms of power, yet distinct through constitutional limitations like separation of powers and term limits.

• Key Points:

  • The founders designed the presidency to be a potent yet checked office, vital for day-to-day governance and national security.
  • The inherent danger of having a mentally incapacitated individual in such a powerful role is a central concern raised by the book.

• Notable Quote:

  “So when you look at the stakes that are invested in the presidency, in the nation's chief executive, you clearly see the danger of having someone who is mentally incapacitated.” [07:20]

3. Analyzing the Cover-Up

Mohler explores how Biden's cognitive decline was allegedly concealed, pointing to key figures and media complicity.

• Key Points:

  • Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady, is accused of actively covering up her husband's cognitive issues and encouraging his re-election bid despite his declining state.
  • The role of liberal media, including Jake Tapper, is scrutinized for participating in the cover-up to avoid playing into Donald Trump's hands.

• Notable Quote:

  “Members of the President's family are going to be on the front line in terms of responsibility here. And in particular, that means Dr. Jill Biden… was… lying to the public and even to members of the administration about the nature of that decline.” [12:50]

4. Insights from Experts: Walter Russell Mead and Tanku Veridagearan

Mohler references analyses by Walter Russell Mead and Tanku Veridagearan to support the narrative of Biden's diminished capacity and the ensuing national security threats.

• Walter Russell Mead's Perspective:

  • Highlights the minimal involvement of Biden’s foreign policy team in addressing his cognitive issues.

  • Questions why Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan kept Biden's decline a secret despite their close access.

  • Notable Quote:

    “What we needed most from Joe Biden were the two things he could no longer deliver. The first was genuine national leadership… The second thing he says is we needed creative strategies when it comes to national security and foreign policy.” [19:30]

• Tanku Veridagearan's Review:

  • Points out Biden's frequent incoherence and physical unmobility, comparing public silence to a liberal media consensus.

  • Accuses Jill Biden of being a key conspirator in the cover-up, urging the need for more transparency in presidential health disclosures.

  • Notable Quote:

    “Mr. Tapper isn't himself blameless being a part of a liberal media consensus that believed it would be unseemly, if not taboo, to show too much interest in Mr. Biden's mental state.” [25:10]

5. Moral Implications of the Cover-Up

Mohler emphasizes that the alleged concealment of Biden's cognitive decline transcends political controversy, representing a profound moral failure with significant national and ethical consequences.

• Key Points:

  • Covering up a leader’s inadequacy endangers national security and undermines the integrity of the highest office.
  • Historical parallels are drawn to Franklin D. Roosevelt's advisors withholding information for strategic reasons, questioning the morality behind such decisions.

• Notable Quote:

  “Covering up a President's cognitive decline is a moral failure. It's more than that. That's why you have the Original Sin title, Raising the Issue of a cover up.” [30:05]

6. Leadership and Conviction: A Broader Perspective

Shifting focus, Mohler contrasts conviction-driven leadership with perceived political opportunism, using the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a case study for questionable leadership and lack of clear convictions.

• Key Points:

  • The metaphor of the "unreliable boyfriend" from the Financial Times is employed to illustrate leaders who fail to demonstrate consistent and genuine convictions.
  • Mohler draws parallels between convictional leaders like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, who were driven by clear, long-held beliefs, versus current leaders lacking such firmness.

• Notable Quote:

  “Christian leaders are called to be visionaries, not functionaries. It is absolute confidence in those convictions that produces the entire platform for, and capacity for and confidence in leadership.” [46:15]

7. Future Implications and Structural Changes

Mohler concludes by discussing potential reforms in presidential health monitoring, advocating for more robust and transparent medical evaluations to prevent similar crises.

• Key Points:

  • Proposes the establishment of a larger medical body to assess presidential health comprehensively.
  • Acknowledges resistance from current and future presidents, including Donald Trump, against increased scrutiny of their medical histories.
  • Stresses the importance of addressing these issues proactively to ensure leadership competence during national emergencies.

• Notable Quote:

  “The nation is now going to demand more of presidents, and quite frankly, presidents are going to resist that. And that undoubtedly includes the current president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.” [55:40]

Conclusion

Albert Mohler wraps up the episode by reiterating the critical moral and practical issues at stake regarding presidential health and leadership integrity. He underscores the necessity for both current and future leaders to possess unwavering convictions and the capacity to lead effectively, especially in times of national and international crises.

• Final Thought:

  “Christian leaders are called to be visionaries, not functionaries… And that's the way it should be among God's people.” [1:02:30]

Additional Resources

• For more insights and updates from Albert Mohler, visit albertmohler.com.
• Follow Albert Mohler on X (Twitter).
• Explore resources from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College.

This episode of The Briefing with Albert Mohler provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the intersection between presidential health, media complicity, and the moral responsibilities of leadership. By drawing on expert analyses and historical parallels, Mohler offers listeners a profound perspective on the importance of transparent and conviction-driven leadership in safeguarding national interests.