When most people think about power in the White House, they picture the president sitting behind the Resolute Desk.
But according to a controversial new book, the real influence might have been coming from someone a little closer to home—his wife.
Jill Biden, often seen as the ever-supportive First Lady, is portrayed as the real decision-maker behind President Joe Biden’s administration in Original Sin, a tell-all from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios journalist Alex Thompson.
More Than a Supportive Spouse
Jill Biden, referred to in the book by her preferred title of “Dr. Biden” due to her doctorate in education, is described as more than just a loyal wife.
The authors argue she was the glue holding everything together—especially as President Biden’s physical and mental fitness became increasingly harder to ignore.
The book claims she actively stepped in to shield her husband not just from critics, but from the difficult truths of his own limitations.
Drawing from interviews with over 200 sources—many within the Democratic party—the book outlines an internal White House environment filled with anxiety and caution.
Staff allegedly tiptoed around issues related to Biden’s health, while Jill Biden stepped up, not only defending him publicly but taking charge behind the scenes.
Tight Grip Behind Closed Doors
The book paints Jill as someone who didn’t just support Joe but ran a tight ship.
Behind the scenes, she reportedly reprimanded staff members, stepped in to complete her husband’s sentences, and was a near-constant force in West Wing operations.
Her senior adviser, Anthony Bernal, and Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini, are said to have had unusually open access to the Bidens’ private residence and reportedly intimidated junior staffers.
According to insiders, as Jill’s influence grew, so did Bernal’s.
Some White House aides even went as far as saying she was one of the most powerful First Ladies in history—placing her right at the center of the power structure.
Shutting Down the Tough Talks
One revealing moment highlighted in the book occurred after President Biden’s widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro reportedly tried to have a frank conversation with the president about the campaign’s struggles.
But Jill cut it short, saying, “Alright, we gotta go,” and whisked her husband away, smoothie still in hand.
This wasn’t an isolated case, according to the authors.
They suggest she consistently worked to shield her husband not only from political fallout but also from any suggestion that his capabilities were faltering.
Fury Behind the Smiles
While Jill Biden was often seen publicly defending her husband with warmth and grace, insiders claim her demeanor shifted when things didn’t go according to plan.
One example cited in the book details her reaction to a press conference that spiraled off-script.
After Biden took an unexpected question from a conservative journalist questioning his cognitive abilities, Jill was reportedly furious and demanded to know why no one had intervened.
Even routine meetings were allegedly choreographed.
Staffers prepared detailed talking points and cue cards for nearly every appearance—sometimes even for private discussions with his cabinet.
The narrative suggests the president increasingly depended on these aids to manage his public and internal duties.
Alarming Moments Behind the Curtain
One of the most unsettling anecdotes from Original Sin centers on a Hollywood fundraiser.
President Biden reportedly failed to recognize actor George Clooney—a longtime acquaintance—repeatedly thanking him for being there before an aide had to whisper who Clooney was.
The moment left Clooney deeply rattled and later fueled his public call for Biden to step down from the 2024 race.
Aides Consider Wheelchairs and Stage Management
Concerns about the president’s mobility are another recurring theme.
The book claims that after a fall over a sandbag in 2023, his team began adjusting routes and even editing video footage to minimize appearances of fragility.
Discussions were reportedly held among advisers about possibly introducing a wheelchair in a second term—an idea they feared would damage his electability, though it might have become unavoidable.
The infamous bike fall in Delaware and Biden’s shuffling walk became such media fixtures that aides were assigned to walk beside him to visually mask his instability.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the White House physician, even warned that another serious fall could result in permanent wheelchair use.
Hunter Biden’s Troubles Take Their Toll
No discussion of Biden’s emotional strain is complete without mentioning his son, Hunter.
The president’s inner circle believes that much of his decline is closely tied to the stress caused by Hunter’s ongoing legal battles and personal scandals.
From tax evasion and gun charges to messy public revelations about drug use and relationships, Hunter’s troubles reportedly weighed heavily on the elder Biden.
The book delves into Hunter’s traumatic history—from surviving the car accident that killed his mother and sister as a child to spiraling into substance abuse after his brother Beau’s death.
The president, already devastated by past losses, reportedly lived in constant fear that he might lose another child.
According to one cabinet official quoted in the book, Hunter’s June 2024 conviction landed like “a five-hundred-pound weight” on Joe Biden’s shoulders.
A Presidency Under Pressure—From Within
Original Sin doesn’t just criticize political opponents; it lays bare the internal fragility of Biden’s presidency.
At 82, Biden made history as the oldest sitting U.S. president.
According to the book, his health declined so noticeably that even his physician accused the White House staff of running him into the ground by refusing to give him adequate rest.
Republicans, meanwhile, were relentless. Donald Trump frequently called him “Sleepy Joe,” claiming he spent more time napping than governing—a line that resonated with MAGA supporters and was repeated across conservative media.
What’s Next?
The revelations in Original Sin present a White House that wasn’t just battling the opposition—but was also fighting battles from within.
Whether these claims shift public perception or influence the future of American leadership remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: the narrative of Jill Biden as merely a supportive spouse may be due for a significant rewrite.