A newly released book claims First Lady Jill Biden asserted increasing control behind the scenes as President Joe Biden’s political career unraveled, casting her as a central power player in the final days of his administration.
The book, 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, written by journalists Josh Dawsey (Wall Street Journal), Tyler Pager (New York Times), and Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post), offers a detailed account of Jill Biden’s growing political clout—especially as questions mounted over the president’s mental fitness.
Jill Biden’s Inner Circle Gains Influence
As President Biden’s age and performance became major issues in the 2024 campaign, Jill Biden’s top aide, Anthony Bernal, also emerged as a key figure. The book describes Bernal as fiercely loyal to the First Lady and an assertive presence in meetings, sometimes even speaking on her behalf to donors or voters.
Bernal has been subpoenaed to testify before Congress later this month over what Republicans allege is a cover-up of President Biden’s cognitive decline. According to the book, he clashed with White House officials, including veteran adviser Anita Dunn, over efforts to be more transparent about Biden family matters—particularly those involving Hunter Biden.
The authors note that discussions about Hunter were essentially off-limits within the administration, despite his federal trial dominating headlines in the middle of the re-election campaign.
Jill Biden Stays Firmly by Hunter’s Side
The First Lady made a point of attending Hunter’s trial, often rearranging her travel schedule around court dates. In one striking example, she attended court in Delaware, flew to France for D-Day commemorations, and then returned to Delaware the next day to resume supporting her son in court.
The book describes her presence at the trial as a surprise to senior White House staff, underlining her independent streak and tight relationship with Bernal, who reportedly used his position to amplify her influence throughout the administration.
Defending Joe After Debate Disaster
Following President Biden’s widely panned June 2024 debate performance against Donald Trump, Jill Biden remained one of her husband’s most forceful defenders. At a fundraiser shortly after the debate, she declared, “Joe isn’t just the right person for the job—he’s the only person for the job.”
The First Lady, the authors say, had long played the role of Biden’s gatekeeper, managing his schedule, encouraging healthy habits, and at times scolding staff for letting press events run too long. After the debate, as pressure mounted from within the Democratic Party for Biden to step aside, Jill Biden reportedly doubled down—urging him to stay in the race.
Camp David Huddle: No Plans to Step Down
Despite the fallout from the debate, the Bidens traveled to Camp David for a scheduled family gathering. According to the book, dropping out of the race was “not even a consideration” at the retreat. Jill, along with other close family members, helped persuade the president to press on.
Though Biden later attempted damage control through interviews—blaming a cold and lack of sleep—he insisted he would remain the nominee. He even told staff he would no longer attend events that ran past 8 p.m.
Biden Ultimately Steps Aside
Less than a month later, and just a week after an assassination attempt on former President Trump, Biden announced he was suspending his campaign. He later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.
2024 is just one of several books this year chronicling Biden’s mental decline and the shifting power dynamics within his administration. Another recent title, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, similarly suggests that key members of Biden’s inner circle helped conceal his condition from the public.
