Context:

At a high-profile fundraiser in June 2024, former President Joe Biden failed to recognize his longtime friend, actor George Clooney, highlighting concerns about his physical and cognitive condition. This incident, detailed in a forthcoming book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, underscores Biden's decline during the concluding years of his presidency and the impact it had on his political standing. Clooney, shocked by Biden's deteriorated appearance, expressed his concerns, especially after witnessing Biden's performance during a debate against Donald Trump later that month. The revelation of Biden's condition and the reaction of influential figures like Clooney played a role in Biden's decision to exit the 2024 presidential race. The book, based on extensive interviews with Democratic insiders, explores the events and decisions that marked the end of Biden's presidency and his controversial decision to run again.

Dive Deeper:

• At a California fundraiser in June 2024, former President Joe Biden failed to recognize actor George Clooney, despite their two-decade-long friendship, prompting concerns about Biden's mental acuity.

• George Clooney, who had not seen Biden since 2022, was reportedly shocked by Biden's diminished physical condition, describing it as a 'holy sh*t' moment.

• The incident is part of a larger narrative explored in a forthcoming book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which investigates Biden's decline during the final years of his presidency.

• Clooney's reaction and his subsequent op-ed after Biden's performance in a debate against Donald Trump were significant factors in Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

• The book 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again' is based on interviews with over 200 people, primarily Democratic insiders, providing an in-depth look at the challenges Biden faced.

• Clooney's encounter with Biden and the subsequent revelations highlighted broader concerns about Biden's ability to effectively serve as president and drew attention to his controversial decision to seek re-election.

• The narrative sheds light on the political and personal dynamics that influenced the final phase of Biden's political career, including the reactions of influential figures within the Democratic Party.