- Biden's conversations with his biographer, Mark Lewis Zwonitzer, were recorded while he was working on his memoir in 2017.
- The tapes were released after a legal battle and have drawn scrutiny regarding Biden's handling of classified documents.
- Biden has trouble remembering dates and information during the interviews with his ghostwriter.
- In one audio clip, Biden mentioned he had 'just found' classified documents and discussed his arguments against sending troops to Afghanistan in 2009.
- Biden referred to classified information in another interview, but the context was unclear.
- Hur characterized Biden as 'struggling to remember events,' exhibiting 'diminished faculties' and having 'painfully slow' conversations as early as 2016.
- More than two hours of the recordings were shared with CBS News.
- Roughly 70 hours of audio recordings were cited in a report, which said Biden kept volumes of notes at his home that included classified information.
- Biden's spokesperson stated that the conversations for a book a decade ago were private and provided to the Department of Justice on the condition they remain confidential.
- Biden claimed he did not share classified information with his ghostwriter.
- Hur investigated whether Biden illegally stored and shared classified information, highlighting examples in his report.
- Justifying his decision not to prosecute, Hur noted that Biden's recorded conversations were often painfully slow, with him struggling to remember events.
Newly released audio recordings from 2017 reveal former President Joe Biden grappling with memory issues and referencing classified material during discussions with his biographer, Mark Lewis Zwonitzer. The tapes, shared by the Oversight Project, show Biden's struggles with recalling dates and details, raising concerns about his cognitive state.2
In the recordings, Biden admits to having “just found” classified documents, indicating he retained such materials after leaving office. He stated, “I just found all of the classified stuff downstairs,” suggesting a lack of awareness regarding the documents' presence in his home.
The audio also captures Biden discussing his disagreements with former President Barack Obama, revealing tensions over economic strategies post-2008 financial crisis. He described himself as a “really lonely voice on housing” and criticized Obama for not appointing Larry Summers to the Federal Reserve due to concerns about Summers being a “liability.”
The recordings, totaling over 70 hours, were made while Biden collaborated on his memoir, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose. Former Special Counsel Hur noted Biden's conversations were often “painfully slow,” with him struggling to remember events and details, raising questions about his cognitive faculties.1
Biden has denied sharing classified information with his ghostwriter, stating, “I did not share classified information. I did not share it with my ghostwriter.”
“The audio recordings, totaling over 70 hours, were released following a legal battle and highlight Biden's difficulty recalling events and information. Special Counsel Robert Hur noted Biden's tone as 'matter-of-fact' while discussing classified documents, raising questions about his handling of sensitive information.”
CBS News
