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SocialDemocrat61

(5,155 posts)
Sun May 25, 2025, 10:46 AM May 25

Jake Tapper's Biden Book Is Collapsing

Jake Tapper's Biden Book Is Collapsing
Jake Tapper's Biden book is coming under scrutiny for some of the book's claims not matching up with actual evidence and holes in fact checking.
JASON EASLEY

Jake Tapper’s Biden book has already faded from the news cycle, but it is being examined because some of its claims are not as the authors described them.

There is also the issue of the fact-checking that Tapper and Thompson claim to have paid for. It turns out that the fact checking was limited as related to the book. Biden aides are also claiming that no one ever reached out to the subject of the book, Biden and his team, to fact check it with them.

Tapper and Thompson never talked to the book's subject to verify any of their information, and neither did their fact-checkers.

The emerging picture is of two authors who came into the writing process with a predetermined conclusion, who sought information that allowed them to write the story they wanted to tell.

https://www.politicususa.com/p/jake-tappers-biden-book-is-collapsing?r=f805&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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Jake Tapper's Biden Book Is Collapsing (Original Post) SocialDemocrat61 May 25 OP
I could scarcely see a more welcome subject line today (at least among those at all likely)... hlthe2b May 25 #1
All books are collapsing TnDem May 25 #2
The decline in literacy is directly related to the decline in our politics. thucythucy May 25 #8
This has been happening long before Trump TnDem May 25 #9
I didn't say Trump caused the decline in literacy, thucythucy May 25 #19
Nope TnDem May 25 #51
I agree, there's still a lot of literacy happening FakeNoose May 25 #73
"Almost everything is free if you know how to find it." thucythucy May 27 #135
I did see "Spotlight" - several times - and it's one of my favorites FakeNoose May 27 #141
It's ironic that in answering my posts about the issue of voter illiteracy thucythucy May 27 #136
This morning I was reading political stuff on FB & one post said, "This is a really long read but worth it." CrispyQ May 25 #87
It has ALWAYS been rare for me to buy a hardcover book. h2ebits May 25 #50
Poorly educated voters. czarjak May 25 #70
Thank you for the correction. thucythucy May 27 #137
maybe that's why NJCher May 25 #35
I'd have to disagree with your statement about NJ libraries being the best always. llmart May 25 #118
yeah, that's what happens when NJCher May 25 #123
do you remember when higher ed libraries began NJCher May 25 #124
I'm not sure about that. llmart May 25 #126
I would have to agree with NJ Cher. Conjuay May 27 #138
Funny NJCher May 27 #145
The brand new 110,000 square foot grocery store down the road doesn't have any magazines. CrispyQ May 25 #56
And it could explain the education gap between men and women PJMcK May 25 #75
re: magazines TnDem May 25 #78
I stopped buying them long ago due to cost, but I always enjoyed spending time at the mag counter. CrispyQ May 25 #84
Those grocery store magazines like People, The National Enquirer, and the Globe really enriched people's minds MichMan May 25 #109
Non-visitors doesnt necessarily mean not reading LearnedHand May 25 #64
Wow, I must be an exception misanthrope May 25 #76
Rather sad Sequoia May 25 #85
This message was self-deleted by its author Picaro May 25 #97
First off TnDem May 25 #101
"Book stores are now like buggy whip stores after the Model T came on the transportation scene" MichMan May 25 #110
Again, completely off point. Picaro May 25 #111
I guess with me it's a larger issue with culture TnDem May 25 #114
This message was self-deleted by its author krkaufman May 25 #100
Not me lonely bird May 25 #115
Huh. My wife and I have purchased 23 books this year, checked out half a dozen from the library . . . Journeyman May 25 #131
I still buy books, but they are all used... mostly on Ebay. Jack Valentino May 25 #132
I think he fact checked claims with members of Biden's cabinet Kaleva May 25 #3
Why do you think that? Beaverhausen May 25 #5
Interviews by PBS and MSBNC TnDem May 25 #17
You believe what Tapper say about his own book? SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #18
No, I don't trust anybody TnDem May 25 #49
Several people like Jamie Harrison have SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #57
You didn't read what Harrison said TnDem May 25 #60
Semantics games SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #62
No semantics, totally different meanings. TnDem May 25 #65
More semantics games SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #69
Sure...both TnDem May 25 #71
They are denying it SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #72
Bored today MorbidButterflyTat May 25 #90
Harrison pretty clearly denies it happened. catchnrelease May 25 #91
Don't confuse them with facts SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #103
I love how people on DU post defamatory baseless claims that major journalists simply made up their sources when they Midwestern Democrat May 25 #79
That, and also the... reACTIONary May 25 #80
Exactly... TnDem May 25 #82
Thanks, more or less my thinking also. NT reACTIONary May 25 #99
Post removed Post removed May 25 #119
Jason Leopold and Sabrina Erdely Shrek May 27 #140
I know, right? MorbidButterflyTat May 25 #89
So, 200+ interviews, a 352-page book, the "meat" of which he didn't get to until mid-November . . . hatrack May 25 #21
if Tapper wasn't such a prick I'd almost feel sorry for him... agingdem May 25 #67
That's quite a number. Raven123 May 25 #37
To be fair MorbidButterflyTat May 25 #92
Aren't many of his sources members of Biden's Cabinet? Kaleva May 25 #24
Did any go on the record? TommyT139 May 25 #29
Did you dismiss Deep Throat until his identity was revealed in 2005? Kaleva May 25 #32
Oh my. All out defense? stillcool May 25 #34
Deep throat wasn't a primary source SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #36
OMG! MorbidButterflyTat May 25 #93
Goodness gracious TommyT139 May 25 #98
So you trust Tapper and his anonymous sources that are unwilling to put their name by their claims... W_HAMILTON May 25 #117
agreed. I was dismayed by the arrival of this book stopdiggin May 25 #23
I agree Kaleva May 25 #27
Did you read the book? stillcool May 25 #39
not on your F-ing life ! stopdiggin May 25 #42
Several people mentioned in the book dispute their version SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #46
and that is exactly what I'm talking about stopdiggin May 25 #53
Tapper is an unethical dipshit...we've known this since his attacks on Al Gore Prairie Gates May 25 #4
Tapper is an asshole LetMyPeopleVote May 25 #59
Tapper is probably auditioning for a job with fox. Everyone knew President Biden was old, and there was JohnSJ May 25 #6
. MorbidButterflyTat May 25 #94
You mean the right hasn't bought it in bulk? Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin May 25 #7
Book's a Trojan Horse to take the attention off Trump's cognition bucolic_frolic May 25 #10
I'm not surprised this book is "collapsing." MLWR May 25 #11
And people on the right think that PatSeg May 25 #26
The article is not about how well the book is selling... reACTIONary May 25 #54
Where are the lawsuits? Common sense, our own eyes and ears Pisces May 25 #83
The article is not about the book's sales, it is about its... reACTIONary May 25 #125
The book sounds a lot like the right-wing hit job on the Clintons, Clinton Cash. Lonestarblue May 25 #12
Journalistic Integrity my ass djacq May 25 #13
I would suggest banning and burning. That's so leftyladyfrommo May 25 #14
You're equating not buying a book and/or thucythucy May 25 #20
"Give 'em books and they eat the pages". BurnDoubt May 25 #15
Bastards! They have been sniggering and laughing about their shocking claims - all the way to the bank. Martin68 May 25 #16
Oh well. tanyev May 25 #22
Whatever it is that Jake Tapper is trying to do... dchill May 25 #25
Good! May it, hermetic May 25 #28
This is poetic justice angrychair May 25 #30
I wonder how many Democrats will stillcool May 25 #31
And if they do, then SHAME ON THEM, TOO!!! calimary May 25 #113
Yikes! Mike Nelson May 25 #33
Good! SheltieLover May 25 #38
I tend not to root for the failure of other people's work Tommy Carcetti May 25 #40
There are only two words I have on this johnnyfins May 25 #41
With a bit of effort Zambero May 25 #43
Good.. I'm fine with his whole world collapsing.. mountain grammy May 25 #44
Jake T. nowforever May 25 #45
Well written especially these parts: SouthBayDem May 25 #47
PoliticusUSA is a .... reACTIONary May 25 #81
Here is the Politico reporting that.. reACTIONary May 25 #48
and it doesn't present a real strong defense stopdiggin May 25 #55
PoliticsUSA is garbage fujiyamasan May 25 #120
Tapper can shove his book up his ass Blue Owl May 25 #52
Tapper is telling lies to sell his book LetMyPeopleVote May 25 #58
Tapper's book isn't in the top ten this week... marcopolo63 May 25 #61
I hope it bombs Hekate May 25 #63
Tapper is spending all of his time pimping this book instead of covering trump LetMyPeopleVote May 25 #66
That's the first time I've seen the cover MorbidButterflyTat May 25 #95
Jon Stewart erupts over CNN's promotion of Jake Tapper's book on Biden's mental health. LetMyPeopleVote May 25 #96
The same Jon Stewart who said he didn't want to vote for trump or President Biden? mucifer May 26 #134
A Congressional investigation is forming Gm7 May 25 #68
The Politico piece that most of it is taken from elaborates a little more misanthrope May 25 #74
I don't think we should try and destroy Biden, but I also Pisces May 25 #77
Good! Yawn...it's a nothing burger Dem4life1970 May 25 #86
Gee which side does he think are the book readers? underpants May 25 #88
BIDEN WORLD STRIKES BACK LetMyPeopleVote May 25 #102
Good. Some of these reporters bear some responsibility for the muck we are in. Their over the top reporting on Biden's tulipsandroses May 25 #129
SHOULD THE PUBLISHER REMOVE JAKE TAPPER'S BOOK FROM THE SHELVES? LetMyPeopleVote May 27 #143
His snake bosses told him to attack Biden and being the...... wolfie001 May 25 #104
These comments are surreal. I thought we were better than this - better than them. themaguffin May 25 #105
agree. nm mikewv May 25 #107
Damage done. This doesn't help us mikewv May 25 #106
Another Beltway Bullshit enterprise Hassler May 25 #108
It couldn't happen to a nicer person! raccoon May 25 #112
I checked some of Tapper's articles when he was with ABC Jarqui May 25 #116
Not sure what "collapse" means fujiyamasan May 25 #121
There is only one aspect democrats should not ignore SocialDemocrat61 May 25 #122
Good. I hope he goes down in flames. Joinfortmill May 25 #127
When one publishes a hit piece, facts are irrelevant UpInArms May 25 #128
Good! I'll tell him where he can go shove it! Initech May 25 #130
Bold face lies and exagerations IbogaProject May 26 #133
What was the Biden team going to verify? madville May 27 #139
For this thread LetMyPeopleVote May 27 #142
Fmr DNC Chair Jaime Harrrison dubbed this book a A BOLD FACED LIE LetMyPeopleVote May 27 #144
Tapper's book sales are collapsing LetMyPeopleVote May 30 #146

hlthe2b

(110,650 posts)
1. I could scarcely see a more welcome subject line today (at least among those at all likely)...
Sun May 25, 2025, 10:49 AM
May 25

GOOD

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
2. All books are collapsing
Sun May 25, 2025, 10:55 AM
May 25

The public buying $29.00 books is over anyway. Nobody buys books to speak of anymore, and that goes for both left and right.

As someone who worked in a library for 7 years, I can't tell you the last time I paid for a book...In fact, the few visitors to the library mostly want to use the free computers and not even bother with the stacks.

thucythucy

(8,925 posts)
8. The decline in literacy is directly related to the decline in our politics.
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:13 AM
May 25

The rise and continued success of Donald Trump is only possible among an electorate that relies on social media for its "facts."

People now openly and proudly declare that they don't know how to write, and rely on computer programs to do their writing for them. An entire industry has sprung up to help people who haven't been taught how to write, or how to read anything more substantial than a page or two of print, or in fact to think for themselves. And Trump's attack on higher education, the right's disdain for and assault on public education in all its aspects is an integral part of the reactionary agenda.

George Orwell warned us almost a century ago that poor writing is indicative of and leads to poor thinking. And the ability to write is directly related to a person's reading habits.

Or, as Trump famously declared, "I love uneducated voters."

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
9. This has been happening long before Trump
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:20 AM
May 25

The decline in the public actually purchasing hard-copy books has been declining for several decades...WAYYY before Trump was even thought about... It is a paradigm shift that has been changing for years.

It has zero to do with Trump

This lack of book purchase may affect the writer's ability to enunciate or not? However, I suspect that the reading is made up by reading digital by those so inclined.

thucythucy

(8,925 posts)
19. I didn't say Trump caused the decline in literacy,
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:49 AM
May 25

which indeed has been a trend over decades. I said his rise was only possible among an electorate that is substantially less literate. Re-read my post and I'm sure you'll see the difference.

"Digital reading" may make up for some of this deficit, but it doesn't come close to filling the gap that has been, as you say, widening for years.

We now live in a world where on-line material often comes with a tag that tells you how long it will take to read a particular item. This is part of a trend that sees the attention span of the general public declining, year by year, another aspect related to declining literacy.

"Digital reading" also makes it far more possible to manipulate the material being read. There's a reason why the right is making a concerted effort to purge websites of material on minority history, racism, climate change, etc. Combine this with right wingers attempting to purge public libraries of books they find objectionable and we can see, in real time, the attempt to re-write our history and gut the public discourse of the material needed for an informed electorate.

This has happened before of course, the public book burnings in Germany in the 1930s being a prime example. But a public more and more relying on information in digital format is a public more easily manipulated by the owners of that technology. Look at what's happened to Twitter and Facebook. Millions of posts gone with just the press of a button.









TnDem

(1,034 posts)
51. Nope
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:15 PM
May 25
"Digital reading" also makes it far more possible to manipulate the material being read.


Manipulation of "news" has been around since before Guttenberg and will continue as long as humans are alive.

Everybody wants their point of view to be hailed as truth and the other guy to be scorned as a lie...It happened during the thrid reich and it happened in China and the Soviet union.

It's called human nature.

FakeNoose

(37,833 posts)
73. I agree, there's still a lot of literacy happening
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:33 PM
May 25

... just not a lot of purchasing of high-demand (and high-quality) books. Almost everything is free if you know how to find it.

thucythucy

(8,925 posts)
135. "Almost everything is free if you know how to find it."
Tue May 27, 2025, 08:25 AM
May 27

Which is one reason why investigative journalism is fast becoming a thing of the past.

If you've seen the movie "Spotlight"--about the Boston Globe's efforts to expose clergy abuse in the Catholic Church--you'll see how much time and effort--and thus money--it takes to do the job. Since that investigation the Globe's Spotlight team has been scaled back precisely because people expect everything to be free. So what we're left with is puff pieces and right wing propaganda funded by oligarchs. Yes, there are still good outlets providing quality content, but these are getting more and more difficult to find.

When I was in journalism school I often heard the maxim: "It's a free press if you own one." That's more true now than it was then.

FakeNoose

(37,833 posts)
141. I did see "Spotlight" - several times - and it's one of my favorites
Tue May 27, 2025, 10:18 AM
May 27

However I was referring to something different ... the prevalence of filesharing on the bit-torrents and the like.

thucythucy

(8,925 posts)
136. It's ironic that in answering my posts about the issue of voter illiteracy
Tue May 27, 2025, 08:35 AM
May 27

you keep misreading what I say.

I never said manipulation of the news is a new thing. I said it's easier now because of the technology. Just like I never said Trump was the cause of this growing trend, only that his ascending to the presidency was one of the results.

Hitler's use of radio--then a relatively new technology--made it far easier to manipulate public opinion in Germany, especially once the Nazis had control of the airwaves. Indeed, there's a whole literature on the Nazi use of radio and how it helped to shape Germany's political and cultural discourse. The left in Germany ignored or at least underestimated the impact of this new technology, and we saw the result.

The right in the US learned that lesson--hence Rush Limbaugh and "talk radio." In the last election it harassed social media and we saw the result.

To ignore these developments by saying, in essence, "same old same old" is to stick our heads in the sand.

And to pretend something unpleasant or even dangerous just isn't happening is also human nature.

CrispyQ

(39,970 posts)
87. This morning I was reading political stuff on FB & one post said, "This is a really long read but worth it."
Sun May 25, 2025, 03:15 PM
May 25

It was five paragraphs!! Not even very long ones.

h2ebits

(903 posts)
50. It has ALWAYS been rare for me to buy a hardcover book.
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:13 PM
May 25

I used to buy paperback books because they were cheaper but when I downsized a number of years ago, I ended up donating 400 books to Goodwill because I had no place for them.

I spend hours reading various topics on the Internet but much prefer checking real books out of the library as I like paper more than screens. I periodically visit bookstores to see what is out there and have spent a number of hours standing at a bookshelf reading a book enough to decide that I want to actually read the whole thing. Then I go to the library to check it out.

There is no one size fits all answer to any people type issue. We are all different with different needs, wants, and interests.

thucythucy

(8,925 posts)
137. Thank you for the correction.
Tue May 27, 2025, 08:42 AM
May 27

Another category, in addition to "uneducated" and "poorly educated," might be "mis-educated." I'm thinking, for instance, of folks who were taught that slavery had little or nothing to do with the American Civil War.

The results in any case are almost always a cause for concern when it comes to maintaining a functioning democracy.

NJCher

(40,688 posts)
35. maybe that's why
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:27 PM
May 25

Libraries seem to becoming a hub for community events. My library offers all kinds of interesting, useful events and services: book talks with authors (many writers live in our area, in fact the NY Times writers almost all flock to this suburb), classes, computer assistance for free, craft classes (a neighboring library even has a craft room where sewing machines can be brought in--they actually teach sewing). Those are only a few items.

NJ has the best librarians and best library services--always had. Way ahead of the rest of the nation.

Now personally I check out books. In fact, I'll check right now to see how many I have out: 10

llmart

(16,627 posts)
118. I'd have to disagree with your statement about NJ libraries being the best always.
Sun May 25, 2025, 08:24 PM
May 25

I believe Ohio ranked first in libraries for a long time. I doubt that's true these days since a lot of educated white collar people left Ohio in the 80's, including myself. Case Western Reserve had one of the best library schools also.

NJCher

(40,688 posts)
123. yeah, that's what happens when
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:38 PM
May 25

you don't treat your people right and they leave for places like France.

NJCher

(40,688 posts)
124. do you remember when higher ed libraries began
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:39 PM
May 25

allowing college students to use databases from their home computers? Was Ohio first in that?

llmart

(16,627 posts)
126. I'm not sure about that.
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:47 PM
May 25

I left Ohio in the early 80's. I didn't start working in libraries until 2001, but in another state. I do know that library schools have all but disappeared in many areas and librarians can now get their MLS online.

Conjuay

(2,574 posts)
138. I would have to agree with NJ Cher.
Tue May 27, 2025, 08:43 AM
May 27

My sister was a librarian in Old Bridge, NJ.
She commented once about her library lending out stuff like lawn mowers.
She might have been pulling my leg, but I think she was serious.

NJCher

(40,688 posts)
145. Funny
Tue May 27, 2025, 04:22 PM
May 27

about the time you posted this, I was on the phone with the library trying to book the power washer.

Yes, we can rent a power washer at our library!

CrispyQ

(39,970 posts)
56. The brand new 110,000 square foot grocery store down the road doesn't have any magazines.
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:33 PM
May 25

Studies show young men read significantly less than young women. I have to believe that contributes to the gender gap that's been reported among young people.

PJMcK

(23,909 posts)
75. And it could explain the education gap between men and women
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:39 PM
May 25

People who don't read are functionally illiterate.

The Republican attacks on education over the last 30+ years has successfully destroyed the minds of millions of Americans.

In fact, because our people have become dumbed-down by poor education and "reality" TV, Americans have fallen terribly behind their counterparts in other developed nations.

The proof is Trump was re-elected.

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
78. re: magazines
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:46 PM
May 25

The only buyers taking paper magazines now are doctor's offices and Florida retirees.

CrispyQ

(39,970 posts)
84. I stopped buying them long ago due to cost, but I always enjoyed spending time at the mag counter.
Sun May 25, 2025, 03:12 PM
May 25


There used to be a magazine/smoke shop in town & they had every American magazines & a ton of international ones. We'd spend 60-90 minutes in there. We'd buy a several, too, to support them. They've been out of business for 10-12 years now.

MichMan

(15,451 posts)
109. Those grocery store magazines like People, The National Enquirer, and the Globe really enriched people's minds
Sun May 25, 2025, 06:32 PM
May 25

LearnedHand

(4,807 posts)
64. Non-visitors doesnt necessarily mean not reading
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:58 PM
May 25

I know plenty of people, myself included, who are voracious readers but never "go" to the library because they get all books from Libby.

misanthrope

(8,930 posts)
76. Wow, I must be an exception
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:41 PM
May 25

I still love reading. I buy books all the time, but I am less likely to buy physical books now. Storage is an issue.

Sequoia

(12,666 posts)
85. Rather sad
Sun May 25, 2025, 03:13 PM
May 25

I keep my library in business. I have stacks of current books, mostly history. Not to mention that stack of books from library book sales.

Response to TnDem (Reply #2)

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
101. First off
Sun May 25, 2025, 05:12 PM
May 25

There are two things I have never done on any forum and that is "alert" or "ignore" anyone, so you can rest assured, it won't be me.

More importantly, if you think book sales are what they were even fifteen years ago, you would be WAYYY wrong. It's a fact that there are just not as many people buying or reading actual hard-copy books like there were in the past. I am not saying some books are not sold and read, I am saying, that as a cultural influence like it has been for generations, that ship has long ago sailed.

Book stores are now like buggy whip stores after the Model T came on the transportation scene...They just don't sell and hold public attention like in the past....And this is coming from someone who loves books.

MichMan

(15,451 posts)
110. "Book stores are now like buggy whip stores after the Model T came on the transportation scene"
Sun May 25, 2025, 06:35 PM
May 25

one word.... Amazon

Picaro

(2,094 posts)
111. Again, completely off point.
Sun May 25, 2025, 06:46 PM
May 25

I can’t disagree with the point about book sales and reading in general.

But that is not germane to the post.

Jake Trapper wrote an utterly worthless, mean spirited hit piece of a book. It is also fundamentally untrue.

Pointing out the fact that book sales are down in general just doesn’t advance the conversation.

I’m not having an argument with you when I don’t disagree with what you’re saying. I just don’t see how it fits.

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
114. I guess with me it's a larger issue with culture
Sun May 25, 2025, 07:11 PM
May 25

To boil it down, whether dumbass Tapper's book sells or does not sell is kinda moot, because virtually NO physical books sell now...His, yours, mine or the Dalai Lama's. It is a poor comparison about truth, success or standing from the get go

It is an ancient stuffy comparison about what books are on the NYT best seller list or as a guide to cultural success or lack thereof...Physical books held on for a little while, but in 10 years, kids will be asking their parents, "Mommy, what is that?"...It is literally like someone keeping score at Super Bowl 3 when Super Bowl 23 is coming on....i would Guess maybe Harry Potter or maybe Fifty Shades of Grey were the last physical books of any kind that sold en masse.

It reminds me of some of what Rickey Gervais said several years ago....Nobody cares about what the elite think they care about because they are truly out of touch with modern reality.

Response to TnDem (Reply #2)

Journeyman

(15,359 posts)
131. Huh. My wife and I have purchased 23 books this year, checked out half a dozen from the library . . .
Sun May 25, 2025, 10:20 PM
May 25

and received maybe a dozen or more from friends and family -- novels, social critiques, histories, just a wide range of topics and interests.

But then, it's a lifelong passion.

Jack Valentino

(2,798 posts)
132. I still buy books, but they are all used... mostly on Ebay.
Sun May 25, 2025, 10:37 PM
May 25

Jake Tapper's won't be among them, He's no Ernest Hemingway.

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
17. Interviews by PBS and MSBNC
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:39 AM
May 25

Like this one:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/tapper-and-thompson-discuss-book-claiming-bidens-inner-circle-hid-signs-of-decline

On that interview alone, Tapper says he discussed it with 200+ people surrounding Biden. He also states that he didn't start on the meat of the book until after the election.

Call it what you will, if there is 1/10th truth to that, (and I suspect there is more than that), then it will continue to drip until the issue is put to bed.

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
49. No, I don't trust anybody
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:12 PM
May 25

However, all I hear is crickets from anyone in the administration.

if you think there is NO truth to this, you are being intentionally uninformed.

SocialDemocrat61

(5,155 posts)
57. Several people like Jamie Harrison have
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:34 PM
May 25

disputed what is said about them in the book. However the corporate media is ignoring them for the most part.
https://www.rawstory.com/jaime-harrison-biden/

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
60. You didn't read what Harrison said
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:43 PM
May 25

He said "I sure as Hell don't remember that"....He didn't "That never fucking happened"...Notice the difference?

Anybody that has ever been in a courtroom will attest that the first thing your attorney will tell you to do if it starts looking like you're about to get jammed up is to say "I don't recall".

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
65. No semantics, totally different meanings.
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:59 PM
May 25

Saying "I don't remember it happening" is totally different than saying "It never happened".

SocialDemocrat61

(5,155 posts)
69. More semantics games
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:22 PM
May 25

Here’s Harrison’s full quote

"Better check my cognitive abilities as well because I sure as hell don’t remember this," wrote Harrison on X.
He is clearly mocking Tapper’s claim.

And he’s not the only one disputing what is in the book. So is Jake Sullivan
In the book, Tapper and Thompson report that Biden forgot Sullivan’s name during an interaction in December of 2022, where Biden accidentally called him “Steve.”

“I do not recall that ever happening,” Sullivan said when asked about the interaction, “and I will tell you, Joe Biden knows my name.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/15/jake-sullivan-biden-book-00352172

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
71. Sure...both
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:29 PM
May 25

both said either "I don't recall" or "I don't remember"...They didn't deny it.

That is the very definition of semantics.

catchnrelease

(2,088 posts)
91. Harrison pretty clearly denies it happened.
Sun May 25, 2025, 04:25 PM
May 25

Watched an interview with him this morning on MSNBC in which he vehemently said 'That did not happen'. Not that he didn't remember it happening. I went back and watched again to make sure I heard it right. The comment is at 5:18 in the video...

79. I love how people on DU post defamatory baseless claims that major journalists simply made up their sources when they
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:48 PM
May 25

report something they don't like. You know, it's career suicide when that actually happens - remember Janet Cooke of the Washington Post who won the Pulitzer for a story that was quickly determined to be made-up? I heard she was reduced at one point to working as a cashier in a department store - that's how total and complete the destruction of her career was.

reACTIONary

(6,564 posts)
80. That, and also the...
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:54 PM
May 25

.... elections are suddenly "rigged" if our candidate loses. Elon Musk! StarLink!

TnDem

(1,034 posts)
82. Exactly...
Sun May 25, 2025, 03:03 PM
May 25

And exactly what I have been trying to say....You don't claim 200+ people have told you something, if it is immediately going to be discredited....And the crickets and "non denial- denials" are what is deafening here.

On this Biden thing, I think we ought to clear the collective cobwebs from our heads, admit mistakes, (even if privately), and vow to never let something like this happen again.

Response to TnDem (Reply #82)

hatrack

(62,980 posts)
21. So, 200+ interviews, a 352-page book, the "meat" of which he didn't get to until mid-November . . .
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:54 AM
May 25
Et voila, it's off to the printer after (checks calendar) four months and change.

Completing "the meat" took place, of course, in addition to Tapper's routine job responsibilities at CNN - reporting, anchoring, bloviating.

agingdem

(8,585 posts)
67. if Tapper wasn't such a prick I'd almost feel sorry for him...
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:20 PM
May 25

he writes a nasty Biden screed with parsed "facts" and never said/never interviewed "witnesses"... and days before publication the Biden family release a statement confirming Biden's stage 4 cancer diagnosis...and down goes whatever is remaining of Tapper's credibility and humanity.....I'm guessing those anticipated appearances on late night tv and cable panel shows are pretty much a not-gonna-happen...poor timing, Jake!

Raven123

(6,847 posts)
37. That's quite a number.
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:28 PM
May 25

200 plus people surrounding Biden? All having first hand knowledge? All corroborating Tapper’s claims? How many are GOP MAGAs?

MorbidButterflyTat

(3,309 posts)
92. To be fair
Sun May 25, 2025, 04:30 PM
May 25

There were many named "anonymous," "insider," "first hand knowledge," "some in the administration," "reported on condition of anonymity," etc., etc.

Obviously completely credible and completely in agreement about President Biden.

Kaleva

(39,642 posts)
32. Did you dismiss Deep Throat until his identity was revealed in 2005?
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:15 PM
May 25

I bet you didn’t.

SocialDemocrat61

(5,155 posts)
36. Deep throat wasn't a primary source
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:28 PM
May 25

Other people who went on the record were. Deep Throat was only used to confirm info others told them and to check if they were going in the right direction.

TommyT139

(1,637 posts)
98. Goodness gracious
Sun May 25, 2025, 04:51 PM
May 25

I haven't read the book yet. It was a basic question. Lots of former Trump administration staff went on record for their comments. It's a reasonable question.

W_HAMILTON

(9,314 posts)
117. So you trust Tapper and his anonymous sources that are unwilling to put their name by their claims...
Sun May 25, 2025, 08:22 PM
May 25

...over people that are willing to go on the record -- Kamala, Pete, Harrison, Sullivan, etc.? -- and dispute these sorts of claims?

stopdiggin

(14,018 posts)
23. agreed. I was dismayed by the arrival of this book
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:00 PM
May 25

And am absolutely certain that it is 'slanted' and has a large helping of cherry picking. On the other hand - I suspect that Tapper, et.al., did do a certain amount of research and verification. So, if the aim is to discredit the narrative or premise - then show me a bunch of instances where the book is flatly wrong or in error of actual incidents or conversation. People willing to go on record with specifics of, 'this is completely false - never happened'.

In other words - they're going to have to do a lot better than, "Well, they didn't reach out to me .. "

stillcool

(34,385 posts)
39. Did you read the book?
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:37 PM
May 25

I didn't so have no idea if he names sources or uses the common generic 'people close to Biden said'. Should be easy to find out, and ask them? They have to be in the book.

stopdiggin

(14,018 posts)
42. not on your F-ing life !
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:58 PM
May 25

and I won't be - just in order to offer a critique of its methodology.
(on the other hand - there appear to be plenty of people out there with time on their hands ... )

stopdiggin

(14,018 posts)
53. and that is exactly what I'm talking about
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:17 PM
May 25

People coming forward saying, "That is not what I said." "That incident did not happen."

Unfortunately - even with that I fear that all that will be revealed is a certain degree of 'spin' - and the substance/outline of the story will remain. The real damage here is in confirmation bias ... And the fact that a lot of people already suspect this as at least partially (if not the full boat) true.

 

JohnSJ

(98,883 posts)
6. Tapper is probably auditioning for a job with fox. Everyone knew President Biden was old, and there was
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:04 AM
May 25

no shyness about that being exploited by some pushing that he shouldn't run a second term.

but that isn't even the issue.

The scandal is that the most of the MSM normalized trump and his racism.

Just look at his pseudo press conferences all during 2024. No pushback at all. How many times did you hear anyone in the press question his assertion that China and our foreign competitors would be paying for the tariffs, not the public. The shame coverage of the NY investors club where he pushed all this bullshit while they were blindly applauding the lies, WHERE WAS OUR ILLUSTRIOUS PRESS?

Even after everything that has gone done, they are still carrying water for him.

What the press did to Gore, Kerry, Hillary, and Biden, was a disgrace, especially in light of how much they let this administration get away with.

They tried to do it to Obama also, with the garbage that he was a Weather Underground sympathizer because his neighbor was Ayers, and with the Reverend Wright fiasco, but President Obama and his team got ahead of that before it took hold, add to that, the bush financial meltdown, plus mccain choosing a complete idiot as his VP, all helped us in 2008.

bucolic_frolic

(51,406 posts)
10. Book's a Trojan Horse to take the attention off Trump's cognition
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:23 AM
May 25

Lookee over there not over here. Typical Republican ploy.

MLWR

(402 posts)
11. I'm not surprised this book is "collapsing."
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:25 AM
May 25

People on the right, at least those who make up today's republican party, don't or can't read. People on the left, particularly those who supported Biden, aren't interested in any more Biden-bashing; there is more than enough of that in the MSM.

reACTIONary

(6,564 posts)
54. The article is not about how well the book is selling...
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:20 PM
May 25

... it's about how the book is being discredited by fact checkers.

Pisces

(6,061 posts)
83. Where are the lawsuits? Common sense, our own eyes and ears
Sun May 25, 2025, 03:11 PM
May 25

Confirm what we don’t want to know.

reACTIONary

(6,564 posts)
125. The article is not about the book's sales, it is about its...
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:46 PM
May 25

.... credibility. There is nothing in the article about how well or how poorly it is selling.

Lonestarblue

(12,803 posts)
12. The book sounds a lot like the right-wing hit job on the Clintons, Clinton Cash.
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:29 AM
May 25

Republicans just love to commit character assassination, but journalists should be held to a higher standard. Unfortunately, we live in a post-truth world where lies pass for reality.

thucythucy

(8,925 posts)
20. You're equating not buying a book and/or
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:53 AM
May 25

questioning its veracity with book burnings and out and out censorship?

Or maybe your post was intended to be sarcastic?

Martin68

(26,146 posts)
16. Bastards! They have been sniggering and laughing about their shocking claims - all the way to the bank.
Sun May 25, 2025, 11:35 AM
May 25

dchill

(42,660 posts)
25. Whatever it is that Jake Tapper is trying to do...
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:02 PM
May 25

...to Joe biden's legacy and reputation is what I hope happens to Jake Tapper. And soon would be good.

angrychair

(10,874 posts)
30. This is poetic justice
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:14 PM
May 25

Book sales collapse. Falsely accused president Biden and staff.
Tapper is a weenie. Couldn't happen to a worse guy.

calimary

(87,043 posts)
113. And if they do, then SHAME ON THEM, TOO!!!
Sun May 25, 2025, 06:56 PM
May 25

Right now I’m s an absolute NO!!! To ANYBODY who wants an excuse to trash Joe Biden.

My response might be “well, okay then. I’ll be happy to trash YOU, TOO! Leave him ALONE!” Or as we all learned (or should have learned) in kindergarten: if you can’t say anything nice about him, then don’t say ANYTHING AT ALL!!!

Mike Nelson

(10,658 posts)
33. Yikes!
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:18 PM
May 25

... I thought it was doing well on the bestseller lists and had been praised for its journalist integrity!

Tommy Carcetti

(44,024 posts)
40. I tend not to root for the failure of other people's work
Sun May 25, 2025, 12:50 PM
May 25

But in this case I’m actively hoping for it.

nowforever

(552 posts)
45. Jake T.
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:03 PM
May 25

Is a sniveling closet conservative who pretends to care. Empty vessel floating in an ocean of boring and dim witted.

SouthBayDem

(32,754 posts)
47. Well written especially these parts:
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:11 PM
May 25
...two authors who came into the writing process with a predetermined conclusion, who sought information that allowed them to write the story they wanted to tell.


...the book looks like a sensationalistic cash grab.

Real presidential histories take years to write. They aren’t slapped together in a few months. Actual historians talk to the subjects when possible, or at least offer the subject the opportunity to speak.


The last part is especially true. Examples include Robert Caro's book about LBJ, or Lou Cannon's in-depth biographies of Reagan. Or any of the Woodward and Bernstein books.

reACTIONary

(6,564 posts)
81. PoliticusUSA is a ....
Sun May 25, 2025, 03:02 PM
May 25

.... tendentious "news aggregator". They don't write so much as they cut-n-paste. If you haven't, you might want to read the original reporting:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/24/joe-biden-town-hall-original-sin-00368995

fujiyamasan

(443 posts)
120. PoliticsUSA is garbage
Sun May 25, 2025, 08:44 PM
May 25

And it’s embarrassing that someone would use it as a news “source”.

May as well post push the politico article through ChatGPT and get a summary.

marcopolo63

(78 posts)
61. Tapper's book isn't in the top ten this week...
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:46 PM
May 25

…in our local Sunday paper’s literary section. Hopefully it tanks and is quickly forgotten and ends up in dollar store discount bins.

mucifer

(25,242 posts)
134. The same Jon Stewart who said he didn't want to vote for trump or President Biden?
Mon May 26, 2025, 08:23 AM
May 26

Yeah, I'm still pissed at him.

Gm7

(18 posts)
68. A Congressional investigation is forming
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:21 PM
May 25

To find out "who was running the country". Tapper's book will be front and center for the foreseeable future

Pisces

(6,061 posts)
77. I don't think we should try and destroy Biden, but I also
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:45 PM
May 25

Don’t need a book to see what I saw with my own eyes.

Dem4life1970

(934 posts)
86. Good! Yawn...it's a nothing burger
Sun May 25, 2025, 03:15 PM
May 25

...last time I checked, he dropped out of the race in July 2024....and, oh yeah, the new POTUS is a twice impeached, 34 times convicted felon, an adjudicated sexual abuser, who ordered and launched an attack on the US Capitol, found civilly liable for fraud, and who is currently accepting bribes from foreign governments and not following court orders. But yes, let's focus on Biden again.

Read the room Tapper....(Because you will make close to nothing from this book).

LetMyPeopleVote

(166,256 posts)
102. BIDEN WORLD STRIKES BACK
Sun May 25, 2025, 05:13 PM
May 25

Biden world has been fact checking Tapper's silly book. Tapper is a bad reporter who made up crap for this book




According to this morning's Politico Playbook, after days of wall-to-wall hype for Original Sin—Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s $32 attempt at a Biden takedown—the cracks are already showing.

This time, it’s about a closed-door town hall in April 2024. Tapper and Thompson claim Biden “had trouble” answering pre-approved questions and that the footage was so bad, the campaign scrapped it.

Except—that’s not what happened.

Biden allies just dropped three never-before-seen ads from the event. Yes, they were polished. Yes, they tested them. But the idea they were unusable? That’s Tapper spin—unverifiable, uncorroborated, and now contradicted by the actual footage.

The kicker? Tapper defends his version with a quote from an “unnamed Biden adviser” he personally supplied to Playbook. Even Playbook couldn’t verify who said it. That’s the level of “fact-checking” behind this book.

This isn’t journalism. It’s a smear job dressed up as reporting, built on anonymous sources, cherry-picked anecdotes, and claims the actual people involved say are false.

Biden’s team isn’t just disputing Tapper’s narrative—they’re dismantling it, piece by piece.

And Tapper’s credibility? It’s unraveling just as fast.

tulipsandroses

(7,649 posts)
129. Good. Some of these reporters bear some responsibility for the muck we are in. Their over the top reporting on Biden's
Sun May 25, 2025, 10:06 PM
May 25

" decline" while simultaneously pretending that trump was a normal candidate.

wolfie001

(5,695 posts)
104. His snake bosses told him to attack Biden and being the......
Sun May 25, 2025, 05:59 PM
May 25

.....obsequious toady he is, he followed suit. What a f6cking spineless weasel with all of the shenanigans happening right now with Adolf Shitler.

mikewv

(182 posts)
106. Damage done. This doesn't help us
Sun May 25, 2025, 06:19 PM
May 25

We can keep hoping for a collapse, and that is the fault we all have. Hope, hope hope.... Tell me I am wrong. Please!

Jarqui

(10,691 posts)
116. I checked some of Tapper's articles when he was with ABC
Sun May 25, 2025, 08:15 PM
May 25

When I posted links to back up my claims that his articles were not accurate below his article, I was banned.

When Tapper's legacy of reporting is examined, I do not think it will hold up well under scrutiny.

As such, I would never buy his book and I'm not surprised by what is coming out.

fujiyamasan

(443 posts)
121. Not sure what "collapse" means
Sun May 25, 2025, 08:57 PM
May 25

It’s still #2 on Amazon.

It’s at its peak right now but will eventually fade. I’m reading the book now. It’s not well written and Tapper is annoying, but there are aspects of it that are important for democrats not to ignore.


SocialDemocrat61

(5,155 posts)
122. There is only one aspect democrats should not ignore
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:07 PM
May 25

Don't trust the corrupt corporate media and their hacks like Tapper.

madville

(7,810 posts)
139. What was the Biden team going to verify?
Tue May 27, 2025, 09:05 AM
May 27

They certainly wouldn’t have corroborated any of the claims in the book whether they are true or not. The subject of the book is that they were hiding Biden’s decline so it would only make sense that they would continue to defend that.

The real collapse was the Democratic campaign for President, celebrities, donors and politicians pressuring Biden out and installing Harris, recipe for disaster as we saw.

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