How Groupthink Protected Biden and Re-Elected Trump: An In-Depth Analysis

In the May 21, 2025 episode of The Ezra Klein Show titled "How Groupthink Protected Biden and Re-Elected Trump," host Ezra Klein delves into a provocative and timely question: Was there a Joe Biden cover-up within the Democratic Party that facilitated Donald Trump’s re-election? Drawing extensively from the insights of Jake Tapper, a CNN anchor, and Alex Thompson, a seasoned journalist at Axios, the discussion unpacks the intricate dynamics of political loyalty, institutional failures, and the pervasive influence of groupthink within the Democratic Party.

1. The Concern Over Joe Biden’s Presidency

Ezra Klein begins the conversation by reflecting on his personal concerns regarding Joe Biden's age and cognitive capabilities during the 2020 presidential campaign. "[...] I was worried about Biden's age when he ran for president in 2020," Klein admits ([01:07]). His inquiries to top White House staffers consistently yielded reassurances about Biden's energy and command over presidential duties. However, Klein questions the authenticity of these reassurances, pondering whether the staffers were perhaps deceiving themselves.

He states, “The White House, I came to think, had created this false distinction in their minds. They would admit privately, publicly even, that Biden couldn't communicate as he'd once been able to. But that was just theatrics, the real work of the presidency” ([01:20]).

2. Introducing “Original Sin”: Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's Exposé

Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson are introduced as the authors of the book Original Sin, President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. The book is a culmination of over 200 interviews, aiming to reconstruct what Democrats ought to have known about Biden’s evident decline. Tapper, who co-moderated a pivotal and disastrous presidential debate with Biden, brings firsthand experience to the table.

Tapper notes, “When you read those transcripts, though, and you produce some of them in the book, this sense that the President of the United States is actually appearing too forgetful to be convicted of a crime that requires intent in front of a jury is a much more extraordinary and damning thing” ([09:13]).

3. Biden’s Cognitive Decline: Evidence and Examples

Alex Thompson provides detailed accounts of Joe Biden’s deteriorating cognitive functions. Referencing Robert Herr’s interviews, Thompson describes Biden as “a meandering old man” who struggled with basic factual recall. “[...] he is just meandering, unable to focus on the train of thought. He doesn't know dates. He's asked about a period that's significant for the investigation, about his holding and sharing information that is of a classified nature” ([05:12]-[05:23]).

One striking example discussed is Biden’s confusion between Egypt and Mexico during a press conference, underscoring the severity of his cognitive lapses: “In this interview, meant to reassure people about his memory, he mixes up Egypt and Mexico” ([12:38]).

4. The White House Cover-Up: Self-Deception and Institutional Failings

The conversation shifts to how the White House and Democratic elites managed Biden’s declining capabilities. Thompson asserts, “A lot of people were seeing things I'm not. If they tell me he's good in the meetings, I don't know if he's good in the meetings” ([16:15]). This internal self-deception, combined with a steadfast loyalty to Biden, created a cover-up that masked his true state from both the public and within the party.

Tapper recounts witnessing Biden's press conference post-Herr report, where Biden attacked Robert Hur while displaying undeniable signs of cognitive distress: “And then at the end, he takes some questions, and in this interview, meant to reassure people about his memory, he mixes up Egypt and Mexico” ([12:38]).

5. The 2024 Presidential Campaign and Election: A Crisis Unfolds

As the 2024 campaign progressed, Biden’s team made several accommodations to mask his declining abilities. The use of teleprompters at small fundraisers became more prevalent, and his public appearances were increasingly constrained. “[...] he started keeping him (Biden) away from people, ... limit his interactions with anybody who wasn't a must-visit” ([22:50]).

The June 27, 2024 presidential debate became a pivotal moment. Tapper, co-moderating the debate, observed Biden’s poor performance, marked by disjointed answers and visible cognitive strain: “He starts talking. He obviously has a cold. He sounds awful. [...] he completely loses his train of thought” ([40:10]-[44:43]). This debacle was met with shock not only by the public but also by party insiders who had privately acknowledged Biden’s decline.

6. Groupthink, Loyalty, and Institutional Failings within the Democratic Party

A central theme in the discussion is the phenomenon of groupthink within the Democratic Party, where loyalty to Joe Biden overshadowed objective assessments of his capabilities. “[...] the Democratic Party was talking to itself” ([58:14]). This insular conversation prevented any meaningful dissent or critical evaluation, leading to a lack of preparedness and strategic missteps that ultimately contributed to Trump’s re-election.

Tapper highlights how the party elite's reluctance to challenge Biden stemmed from a fear of deepening partisan divides, echoing historical failures to hold leaders accountable: “You can always count on them... to do the right thing after they've exhausted every other possible option” ([80:38]).

7. Lessons Learned: A Call for Structural Reforms

The episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications for American political structures. Klein and Thompson emphasize the necessity for robust institutional checks to prevent similar occurrences. Thompson suggests concrete measures, such as annual, sworn medical reports for the President to be submitted to Congress: “... White House medical reports should be affirmed under threat of perjury and given to Congress every year” ([68:25]).

Moreover, the conversation underscores the importance of media vigilance and internal party accountability in identifying and addressing leadership deficiencies promptly.

8. Final Thoughts and Recommended Readings

Before wrapping up, Alex Thompson shares his book recommendations, offering listeners avenues to further explore related themes:

1. "Lorne" by Susan Morrison – A history of Saturday Night Live.
2. "Hitler's People" by Richard Evans – An exploration of how the Holocaust came to be in Germany.
3. "The Holy Roller" – A graphic novel by Andy Samberg, featuring a Jewish bowling superhero from Ohio.

Conclusion

The episode of The Ezra Klein Show provides a compelling examination of how internal dynamics, characterized by groupthink and unwavering loyalty, can obscure critical issues within a political party. The alleged cover-up of Joe Biden's cognitive decline illustrates the dangers of prioritizing party unity over transparent and honest assessments of leadership. Tapper and Thompson's insights from Original Sin serve as a cautionary tale for ensuring accountability and fostering an environment where leadership can be objectively evaluated and, if necessary, reformed to safeguard democratic integrity.

Notable Quotes:

• Ezra Klein [01:07]:

  "The harder question in retrospect was whether they were lying to themselves."

• Jake Tapper [09:13]:

  “When you read those transcripts... the President of the United States is actually appearing too forgetful to be convicted of a crime that requires intent in front of a jury is a much more extraordinary and damning thing.”

• Alex Thompson [16:15]:

  “The definition of a cover up is when you are hiding something. That is an ugly fact."

• Jake Tapper [40:10]:

  “He completely loses his train of thought.”

• Alex Thompson [68:25]:

  “We need to do two things: White House medical reports should be affirmed under threat of perjury and given to Congress every year...”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the nuanced discussion between Ezra Klein, Jake Tapper, and Alex Thompson, shedding light on the complex interplay of political loyalty, institutional failure, and the critical importance of transparency and accountability within democratic frameworks.