Biden interview audio reveals who brought up Beau's death — and it wasn't Hur

Fox News - May 17th, 2025
Open on Fox News

A newly released audio recording from an interview between President Joe Biden and special counsel Robert Hur has stirred significant political controversy. The audio, which was published by Axios, reveals moments where Biden struggled with memory, including instances where he misremembered the dates of significant events such as his son Beau Biden's death. The release has provoked a strong backlash from Biden and high-profile Democrats, who criticized Hur's report as politically motivated. Vice President Kamala Harris, among others, defended Biden, asserting his mental acuity during the period in question. Democrats, including Reps. Jerry Nadler and Pramila Jayapal, challenged Hur during his testimony on Capitol Hill, but Hur maintained that his findings were not intended to spark political controversy.

The implications of this development are profound, particularly as it comes amid Biden's tumultuous 2024 election campaign, from which he withdrew after a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump. The audio's release raises questions about presidential transparency and the political ramifications of such disclosures. Hur's investigation initially focused on Biden's handling of classified documents, but the focus on his memory has shifted the political narrative, influencing public perception and potentially impacting the Democratic Party's strategy for the upcoming election. The release of this audio and the ensuing debate highlights the growing scrutiny over presidential health and the potential influence of politically charged investigations on electoral outcomes.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article presents a timely and relevant examination of a controversial political issue, focusing on criticisms of President Biden's cognitive abilities and the motivations behind a special counsel's report. It effectively captures the immediacy of the situation and engages readers interested in political affairs. However, the article's balance is somewhat skewed towards criticism, and it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and more in-depth analysis. The accuracy of the claims is generally supported by credible sources, but some areas require further verification. Despite these limitations, the article addresses topics of significant public interest and has the potential to influence public opinion and spark debate. Overall, the story is a valuable contribution to ongoing political discussions, though it could be enhanced by providing more comprehensive context and diverse viewpoints.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that align with known facts, such as Biden's reaction to Hur's report and the subsequent release of audio recordings. The report accurately notes Biden's criticism of the report's portrayal of his memory and his son's death date, which is supported by multiple sources. However, the story's accuracy is slightly undermined by the need for further verification of claims regarding Biden's memory lapses and the political motivations behind Hur's report. While the article provides a coherent narrative, some details, like the exact content of the audio and its implications, require additional context and verification.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents perspectives critical of Biden, reflecting a potential bias. It includes reactions from Biden and his allies but focuses heavily on criticisms from various political figures and media outlets. The inclusion of statements from Kamala Harris and other Democrats provides some balance, yet the article leans towards highlighting the controversy and criticisms rather than offering a comprehensive view of the situation. This imbalance might skew the reader's perception of the events and the motivations behind the report.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the events. The language is accessible, and the narrative is easy to follow. However, some sections could benefit from additional context to enhance understanding, particularly regarding the significance of the audio recordings and the political implications of the report. The clarity is somewhat affected by the lack of detailed explanations for some claims, which might leave readers with unanswered questions.

8
Source quality

The article cites credible sources such as Axios and CNN, which are reputable media outlets. It also references statements from notable political figures, lending credibility to the claims presented. However, the reliance on a single perspective from Fox News could introduce bias. The article would benefit from a wider range of sources to provide a more balanced and comprehensive view of the events. Despite this, the sources used are generally reliable and contribute to the story's overall credibility.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its methodology and the basis for some claims, particularly regarding the motivations behind Hur's report and the implications of Biden's memory issues. While it provides quotes and reactions from various figures, the context for these statements is not always clear. The article could improve transparency by offering more background information on the investigation and the political dynamics at play. Additionally, it does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-interview-audio-reveals-who-brought-up-beaus-death-wasnt-hur
  2. https://economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/joe-bidens-memory-lapse-leaked-interview-full-audio-robert-hur-donald-trump/articleshow/121233259.cms
  3. https://www.factcheck.org/2024/03/transcript-of-joe-bidens-interview-with-hur-reveals-how-the-date-of-beau-bidens-death-came-up/
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqSLqTLkwRQ
  5. https://www.axios.com/2025/05/16/biden-hur-tape-special-counsel-audio