Joe Biden's mental acuity becomes a Democratic litmus test

Apnews - May 16th, 2025
Open on Apnews

A new book titled “Original Sin” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson has reignited debates within the Democratic Party about former President Joe Biden's mental acuity and its impact on his decision to run for a second term. The book suggests that White House aides may have covered up Biden’s cognitive decline, a claim that has put Biden's health back in the spotlight. As the Democratic Party looks towards the 2028 presidential race, potential candidates are being questioned on their stance regarding Biden’s ability to lead during his tenure. This issue has become a litmus test as Democrats navigate the post-Biden era, especially after Kamala Harris's loss to Donald Trump in the recent presidential elections. The controversy is being utilized by Republicans, who have linked Democratic candidates such as Abigail Spanberger to Biden's legacy in their campaigns.

The implications of this renewed scrutiny are significant for the Democratic Party as they attempt to distance themselves from Biden’s controversial presidency and focus on the challenges posed by Trump’s second term. Within the Democratic ranks, opinions are divided; some, like strategist Sawyer Hackett, emphasize the need for the party to acknowledge mistakes made during Biden’s administration, while others defend his legacy. This internal debate reflects broader concerns about leadership, aging in politics, and the strategic positioning of the Democratic Party ahead of crucial upcoming elections. The story underscores the ongoing political discourse surrounding aging leaders and the potential impacts on party strategy and voter perceptions.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The news story provides a comprehensive overview of the concerns surrounding Joe Biden's age and mental acuity, which have become significant issues within the Democratic Party. It presents a range of perspectives, including those of political figures, strategists, and voters, contributing to a balanced view of the topic. The article effectively highlights the timeliness and public interest of the issue, given its potential impact on future elections and party strategy.

However, the story's accuracy and source quality are somewhat compromised by the lack of direct citations for certain claims and the presence of speculative language. The inclusion of unrelated content, such as the freestar ad script, detracts from the clarity and readability of the article. Greater transparency in source attribution and a more focused narrative would enhance the article's credibility and engagement potential.

Overall, the article successfully addresses a controversial and timely topic, offering insights into the Democratic Party's internal dynamics and strategic considerations. By improving source attribution and maintaining focus on the main issues, the article could further strengthen its impact and reader engagement.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that are mostly verifiable, but there are areas where accuracy could be questioned. For example, the claim that Biden's age and mental acuity have become a litmus test is supported by quotes from Democratic figures, but it lacks statistical backing or broader context. The mention of a new book alleging Biden's decline is accurate, as the book *Original Sin* does exist, but the article does not provide direct evidence from the book itself, relying instead on the authors' reputations. Additionally, the story references specific polling data about Democratic support for Biden, which aligns with known polls, but it does not cite the exact sources, which affects precision. Overall, while the article's major claims are mostly supported by external sources, the lack of direct citations and some speculative language reduce its accuracy.

7
Balance

The article presents a range of perspectives, including Democratic strategists, politicians, and ordinary voters, which helps provide a balanced view of the issue. For instance, it includes quotes from Democratic Senator Chris Murphy and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, offering both critical and supportive views of Biden's mental acuity. However, the article leans slightly towards emphasizing criticisms of Biden, with more space given to those questioning his decision to run again. While it does mention supportive views, such as those from Pritzker and some voters, these perspectives are less prominently featured. The balance could be improved by giving equal weight to all viewpoints and providing more context for each perspective.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. It begins by setting the context of Biden's age and mental acuity as a political issue, then moves on to discuss various perspectives and evidence. The language is straightforward, making the content accessible to a general audience. However, the inclusion of unrelated content, such as the freestar ad script, detracts from the clarity and coherence of the article. Removing such distractions and maintaining focus on the main topic would improve clarity further.

5
Source quality

The article relies on a mix of sources, including direct quotes from politicians, references to a book by reputable journalists, and polling data. However, the lack of direct citations for some claims, such as the NBC News analysis of Trump's rhetoric, weakens the overall source quality. The article would benefit from more explicit attribution of its claims, particularly those based on data or analysis. Additionally, while the book *Original Sin* is mentioned, the article does not provide direct quotes or specific excerpts, which would strengthen its reliability. Overall, the source quality is mixed, with reputable voices included but lacking in-depth verification.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context for its claims, such as mentioning the book *Original Sin* and quoting various political figures. However, it lacks transparency in terms of methodology and source attribution. For example, while it cites polling data, it does not specify the sources or provide links to the original data. The article also does not explain the methodology behind the NBC News analysis of Trump's mentions of Biden. Greater transparency about the sources and methods used to gather information would enhance the article's credibility and help readers understand the basis for its claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/14/dems-disarray-biden-age-00350285
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_and_health_concerns_about_Joe_Biden
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nMVtN5EhO0
  4. https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2025/04/10/new-books-insight-to-biden-2024/
  5. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/democrats-grapple-bidens-reemergence/story?id=121639456