Summary of "Truth About the Biden Cover-Up, and Revelations in 'Original Sin'" | Ep. 1076 on The Megyn Kelly Show

Release Date: May 20, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: Jake Tapper (CNN), Alex Thompson (Axios)

Introduction

00:00 – 07:09

Megyn Kelly opens the episode by introducing the topic: a deep dive into President Joe Biden's alleged cognitive decline while in office. She references the new book "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," co-authored by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios's Alex Thompson. Kelly sets the stage for discussions on alleged cover-ups by the Democratic Party and the media's role in obscuring Biden's health issues.

The Book "Original Sin"

07:09 – 10:01

Kelly welcomes guests Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. Tapper explains the title "Original Sin" as a reflection on Biden's decision to run for reelection despite concerns about his health. He shares insights from over 200 interviews with Democratic insiders, revealing a duality in Biden's persona: a capable leader versus a "non-functioning" president struggling with cognitive issues.

Notable Quote:
Jake Tapper at [07:17]: "It's called original sin because right after the election we started talking to Democratic sources who were telling us how horrible things were..."

Alleged Cognitive Decline of President Biden

10:01 – 22:49

Tapper delves into specific instances illustrating Biden's cognitive decline, including:

• Public Gaffes: Repeatedly stumbling over words during speeches and interviews.
• Forgetting Important Names: Notably forgetting Congresswoman Jackie Walorski six weeks after her passing ([04:04]).
• Inconsistent Communication: Instances where Biden failed to recall key facts or engage coherently during critical moments.

Kelly challenges Tapper on his previous coverage, citing missed opportunities to critically question Biden about his health and cognitive abilities.

Notable Quotes:
Megyn Kelly at [15:04]: "You didn't follow up on the fact that he was falling up the stairs, that he was losing his train of thought regularly..."

Jake Tapper at [16:37]: "It wasn't just in our book. It was thoroughly fact-checked in the New Yorker who did an excerpt of it and we stand by it."

Media's Role and Alleged Cover-Up

22:49 – 38:51

The discussion shifts to the media's purported complicity in covering up Biden's decline. Kelly accuses mainstream media outlets, including CNN, of acting in the interest of the Democratic Party by downplaying or dismissing signs of Biden's cognitive issues.

Tapper acknowledges shortcomings in past coverage, expressing humility and a desire to have pursued the story more aggressively. He emphasizes that revelations came to light primarily after the election when more Democratic insiders were willing to speak.

Notable Quotes:
Jake Tapper at [26:06]: "What do you do about that?"

Megyn Kelly at [27:20]: "We had all been discussing his serious cognitive problems for years just by that point."

The Presidential Debate Incident

53:09 – 75:23

Kelly and her guests recount a pivotal moment during the June 27th, 2024, presidential debate where Biden exhibited signs of severe cognitive impairment. Tapper describes Biden's erratic behavior, including losing his train of thought and making incoherent statements, which left both Kelly and the guests visibly disturbed.

Kelly shares her personal reaction during the debate, highlighting the emotional toll of witnessing the deterioration firsthand.

Notable Quotes:
Jake Tapper at [57:24]: "It was just shocking. The worst debate in the history of presidential debates..."

Megyn Kelly at [73:05]: "But I'm also not shocked. It is the press's job to try to expose those lies."

Timing of Biden's Cancer Diagnosis

38:51 – 84:00

The conversation covers the announcement of Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis, which occurred shortly before the book's release. Tapper and Thompson discuss the suspicious timing and its potential implications on the narrative surrounding Biden's health.

Kelly questions the circumstances, suggesting it aligns with the book's revelations about the cover-up.

Notable Quotes:
Jake Tapper at [64:49]: "What I've learned in the last couple days about President Biden's health... transparency and groupthink questions..."

Lara Trump at [61:37]: "Some people that worked for him felt very strange about the sudden timing of this."

Reactions and Criticisms

84:00 – 100:13

Kelly addresses backlash from various quarters, including left-leaning commentators and Biden's allies, who have criticized Tapper and Thompson's book as politically motivated and factually incorrect. The guests defend their work, asserting the credibility of their sources and the thoroughness of their investigation.

Notable Quotes:
Alex Thompson at [81:27]: "The mainstream media gaslit the American people because they didn't want Donald Trump to win."

Jake Tapper at [70:23]: "We're very sure of our story. It wasn't just in our book. It was thoroughly fact checked in the New Yorker."

Conclusion

100:13 – End

The episode wraps up with final thoughts from Kelly, Tapper, and Thompson. They reaffirm their commitment to uncovering the truth and encourage listeners to engage critically with media narratives. The conversation underscores the importance of investigative journalism in holding leaders accountable.

Notable Quotes:
Megyn Kelly at [95:10]: "The press's job is to test these claims and to make sure we're not being spun and that we're not part of the lying conspiracy."

Jake Tapper at [96:42]: "This book isn't me trying to do anything other than what happened. We need to know what happened."

Key Takeaways

• "Original Sin" Book: Highlights alleged cognitive decline in President Biden and suggests a Democratic and media cover-up.
• Media Complicity: Claims that mainstream media downplayed or ignored signs of Biden's cognitive issues to protect the Democratic Party.
• Presidential Debate: A significant moment where Biden's apparent cognitive struggles were publicly visible, adding weight to the book's claims.
• Cancer Diagnosis Timing: Raises questions about the sudden announcement of Biden's prostate cancer in relation to the book's release.
• Defensive Responses: Tapper and Thompson defend their investigative work against criticisms from both political spectrums.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "It's called original sin because right after the election we started talking to Democratic sources who were telling us how horrible things were..."
  — Jake Tapper [07:17]

• "You didn't follow up on the fact that he was falling up the stairs, that he was losing his train of thought regularly..."
  — Megyn Kelly [15:04]

• "It was thoroughly fact-checked in the New Yorker who did an excerpt of it and we stand by it."
  — Jake Tapper [26:06]

• "It was just shocking. The worst debate in the history of presidential debates..."
  — Jake Tapper [57:24]

• "The press's job is to test these claims and to make sure we're not being spun and that we're not part of the lying conspiracy."
  — Megyn Kelly [95:10]

Disclaimer: The views and statements expressed in this podcast episode represent the opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect verified facts or the positions of all parties involved.