‘This Is Horrifying’: Newly Released Audio Unveils Joe Biden’s Memory Lapses During 2023 Interview

In particularly jarring moments, the former U.S. president struggled to recall what year his son Beau died, when he left the vice presidency, and when Donald Trump was first elected president.

Long silences and slurred words fill the gaps in his halting responses. His attorneys frequently stepped in, helping him recall key dates — including his son’s 2015 death and the 2016 election.

What earlier transcripts didn’t capture, the audio did — the former American leader’s soft voice, long pauses, and confusion, all set to the ticking of a grandfather clock in the White House’s Map Room.

Reaction online was swift and emotional. “Oh my God. To hear this unfiltered version of the president is not only heartbreaking but everyone responsible for allowing this man to continue to sit unimpeded in the Oval Office should be brought up on criminal charges,” one netizen shared. “This is absolutely terrifying audio.”

Another added in part, “Listening to this makes me feel a deep sadness for an elderly man who is looking for memories but losing his battle with dementia.” “A transcript would never begin to capture what a trainwreck this was,” a third commented.

“No wonder they tried to cover this up. This is insane and just plain sad,” another said. “This is horrifying,” someone else stated. Some commenters placed less blame on Biden himself and more on those around him.

One self-identified Republican expressed sympathy, saying that expecting Biden to function in such a demanding role despite his age-related decline was unrealistic, comparing it to asking someone without legs to walk.

They argued that the responsibility fell on those closest to him, including Democratic leaders, liberal media outlets, and even his family, for not stepping in and urging him to step down.

Others were more critical, focusing on the implications of what the audio revealed. One person said it was clear Biden couldn’t maintain a coherent train of thought or answer even basic questions. The fact that he was being positioned for another four-year term, they added, felt almost like an act of betrayal to the country.

The release follows the debut of “Original Sin,” a new book by Axios’ Alex Thompson and CNN’s Jake Tapper, which reportedly details efforts within the Democratic Party and national media to obscure Biden’s cognitive decline as he campaigned for a second term at 81.

In one portion of the recording, Biden recalled a moment from his time in the Senate, sharing that then-President Barack Obama had discouraged him from launching a presidential bid.

According to Biden, Obama believed Hillary Clinton “had a better shot” at winning the White House. The remark added a new layer of political context to the already sensitive audio.

Throughout the interviews about Biden’s possession of classified documents, his long pauses and frequent memory lapses shaped Special Counsel Hur’s assessment that Biden would likely be seen by a jury as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

That conclusion was a key factor in Hur’s decision not to pursue criminal charges, despite the former president’s improper retention of classified materials. The move sparked backlash from Republicans, particularly as President Trump faced prosecution over a separate classified documents case.

In response to the growing controversy, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced that the panel will continue its investigation into what he describes as a coordinated effort to conceal Biden’s cognitive decline.

According to Comer, the Committee will refocus attention on top White House aides Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, and Ashley Williams, who were previously subpoenaed for allegedly shielding Joe Biden from scrutiny.

The panel is also pursuing testimony from Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, whom they requested for a transcribed interview last Congress. Comer also confirmed that the Committee had subpoenaed the audio recordings from Special Counsel Hur’s classified documents investigation.

However, Attorney General Merrick Garland declined to comply, prompting additional frustration from Republicans who have accused the administration of obstructing oversight efforts.

As the investigation gains renewed momentum, President Trump took to Truth Social to offer his reaction. In a fiery post shared on May 17, he zeroed in on the alleged misuse of the autopen — a mechanical device used to affix a signature without the signer’s direct involvement — calling it “a bigger and bigger scandal by the moment.”

He claimed the autopen’s use was central to what he described as a broader cover-up involving former president Biden’s mental fitness and the 2020 presidential election.

Trump framed the situation as part of a long-running conspiracy, suggesting that the same individuals who stole the 2020 election were now being exposed.

He also connected the autopen controversy to the actions of the January 6 Select Committee, accusing its members of destroying evidence and covering up misconduct.

Without offering proof, Trump alleged that the use of the autopen was tied to illegal pardons, a manipulated justice system, and a politically motivated campaign to silence him and his supporters.

Referencing familiar targets — former FBI Director James Comey as well as former presidents Obama and Biden, referring to the latter as “hapless and cognitively impaired” — Trump reiterated his claim that his campaign had been spied on, and insisted, “THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS RIGGED!”

He concluded with a rallying cry to his base, “THE FIGHT HAS JUST BEGUN!!!”