Biden’s White House: “Most Scripted” in Modern HistoryBiden’s White House: “Most Scripted” in Modern History According to author and journalist Chris Whipple, the Biden White House is the most “scripted” in modern history. Whipple claims that access to the president is extremely restricted, and all communications with Biden must be in the form of written questions and answers. This level of control by senior White House advisors is concerning to some, who believe it may be an attempt to minimize the toll of the president’s age on his public appearances. Concerns about Biden’s mental fitness have been escalating after a recent debate and an interview with ABC News host George Stephanopoulos, who expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to serve another four years. A close friend of Biden’s has suggested that the president should undergo a neurological exam to dispel concerns about his cognitive abilities. Whipple believes that this excessive control over the president’s image is detrimental to his re-election campaign. He argues that Biden’s most effective campaign moments have been unplanned and spontaneous. Allowing the president to be himself and communicate naturally is believed to be more beneficial to his electoral success.
Author and journalist Chris Whipple — who wrote a 2023 biography of President Joe Biden — called Biden’s White House the most “scripted” in modern history during a CNN panel discussion Tuesday night.
Whipple said that in the two years he has had exclusive access to the inner workings of the White House, he has interviewed nearly every person close to Biden.
“I can tell you, I wrote a book about it,” Whipple said. “This White House is the most sealed, buttoned-up, scripted White House in modern history.”
Biographer Chris Whipple with a copy of “The Fight of His Life.” Getty Images
Although Whipple’s book — “The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Biden’s White House” — was a biography of the president, Whipple claimed he was never allowed to interview Biden.
Whipple said he never asked the president questions in person, via Zoom or on a phone call over the course of those two years.
“When it came to Biden himself, the deal was written answers to written questions. I had never heard of that,” Whipple said.
The CNN panel last night focused on a report from The Wall Street Journal alleging that senior White House advisers limited the president’s public appearances and impromptu conversations to minimize the toll his age had taken on him.
Biographer Chris Whipple said during a panel discussion with CNN that Biden’s White House is the most “scripted” in modern history. CNN
Whipple said the White House either has “something to hide” or is “just obsessed with controlling the narrative.”
Discussing his conversations with senior White House staffers, Whipple said, “I got no indication that he (Biden) was cognitively impaired and everybody said the opposite.”
But now concerns are mounting about the president’s mental fitness after a disastrous debate that saw politicians, policymakers and media from across the political spectrum call for Biden to withdraw from the race.
Political players from all political parties have called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race after the debate. REUTERS Whipple said a close friend of Biden told him he thought the president should undergo a neurological exam. Yuri Gripas – Pool via CNP / MEGA
After a recent one-on-one interview, ABC News host George Stephanopoulos said he did not believe Biden could stay in office for another four years.
Whipple said Biden’s close friend told him he thought the president should undergo a full neurological exam, make the results public and “drop the cards.”
The friend did not tell the president about his suggestion because “it’s hard for a good friend to tell him,” Whipple said.
The biographer has previously spoken out in support of the incumbent candidate, saying he was “for Biden” in a guest essay published in The New York Times in January.
Whipple then wrote about the dominant White House and how it could hurt Biden’s re-election campaign.
“The president cannot act effectively if he is kept secret by overly concerned advisers,” Whipple warned.
Whipple said the White House either has “something to hide” or is “just obsessed with controlling the narrative.” POOL/AFP via Getty Images ABC’s George Stephanopoulos said after their interview that he doesn’t think Biden can stay in office for another four years. ABC
In January, he argued that Biden’s most effective campaign moments were the unplanned ones.
“The campaign will be more successful if Joe is allowed to just be Joe and talk the way he actually talks,” Whipple said in the guest essay.
