Podcast Summary: The Gist – Cascade PBS: Tapper, Thompson, and Pesca

Release Date: July 5, 2025
Host: Mike Pesca
Guests: Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
Topic: Discussion on the book "Original Sin" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which delves into President Joe Biden's decline, its cover-up, and the repercussions of his decision to seek re-election.

1. Introduction to the Ideas Festival and Book Overview

Mike Pesca opens the episode by welcoming Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson to the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in Seattle. He introduces their book, Original Sin, highlighting its focus on President Biden's declining capabilities and the subsequent attempts to conceal this decline from the public and within his administration.

Mike Pesca [00:04]: "... the best interview you're gonna hear on it quite clearly."

2. The Premise of "Original Sin"

Tapper and Thompson outline the core thesis of their book: President Biden's mental and physical decline, the orchestration by his close advisors to mask this deterioration, and the consequential decision to run for a second term despite evident limitations.

3. Evidence of Biden's Decline

Alex Thompson presents tangible evidence from private schedules of President Biden between 2023 and 2024, showcasing a highly constrained daily routine that accommodated his limitations.

Alex Thompson [05:22]: "His day is a few meetings from 10 to 1... and back to the residence by 4:30pm that was the full day."

Jake Tapper shares anecdotes from within the administration, including instances where Biden failed to recognize long-time associates, indicating a significant cognitive decline.

Jake Tapper [04:41]: "Adam Smith. Adam Smith."

4. The Tight-Knit Politburo

The discussion delves into the formation of an insular group of advisors, dubbed the "Politburo," who exerted excessive control over Biden's decisions, effectively isolating him from honest feedback and critical discourse.

Jake Tapper [12:02]: "Put... They became taller and thicker during COVID."

Alex Thompson [21:53]: "... undoubted loyalty... seen as disloyalty."

5. Consequences of Concealing the Decline

Pesca and the guests explore how this concealment led to a lack of transparency and accountability, culminating in Biden's decision to seek re-election despite evidence suggesting he was unelectable in a competitive race.

Jake Tapper [16:15]: "This decision... meant that a very strong bench... did not get a chance to run."

6. Critical Moments Highlighting Decline

Several key moments are discussed that epitomize Biden's struggles:

• The Presidential Debate: A night where Biden appeared non-functional and out of control, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.

  Jake Tapper [08:00]: "That was just the Joe Biden that's fine, but he's fine... And then there's the one that we saw the night of the debate."

• Missile Incident in Poland: Biden's delayed response due to his curtailed schedules raised concerns about his ability to handle national security crises.

  Jake Tapper [29:28]: "But that was... We did not find anything in there."

7. Impact on the Democratic Party

The book argues that Biden's decision to run again, despite his limitations, contributed to the election of Donald Trump in a subsequent term. The lack of viable Democratic candidates and internal distrust further exacerbated the party's challenges.

Jake Tapper [16:00]: "The Democratic Party... was exposed to people or portrayed in people's minds as lying to them."

8. Reception and Reactions

Tapper and Thompson discuss the polarized reception of their book. While it garnered positive reviews among the general public, it faced fierce backlash from both progressive Democrats and conservatives. Internal Democratic figures have remained largely silent or defensive.

Jake Tapper [40:35]: "The reception to the book has been norm, has been great among normal people... But the reception among official liberals... has been ferocious."

9. Ethical Considerations in Reporting

The authors reflect on the ethical dilemmas faced during their investigation, such as ensuring the anonymity of sources while striving for transparency and factual accuracy.

Alex Thompson [39:35]: "We agreed to make them anonymous. So we tried to get them all."

10. Conclusion and Broader Implications

Mike Pesca wraps up the discussion by emphasizing the book's significance in understanding the fragility of democratic institutions when leadership falters. The conversation underscores the necessity for vigilance, accountability, and the importance of having capable leadership to navigate complex national and international challenges.

Jake Tapper [41:28]: "... allowed for a discussion about something very important to every single person in this room..."

This episode of The Gist offers an in-depth exploration of Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's investigative work on President Biden's administration, shedding light on internal dynamics and the profound implications of concealed leadership shortcomings.