Former Biden Aides Dispute Jill Biden's Debate Stroke Claim

Former Biden administration officials do not believe Jill Biden's claim that she thought President Joe Biden was having a stroke during a 2024 debate.

The dispute highlights internal friction and disagreement among the president's closest circle regarding his health and public performance during the 2024 campaign cycle.

According to Axios reporter Alex Thompson, former aides to the president expressed anger over the comments made by the former first lady. The aides said to Thompson that they "don't believe" her when she says she thought her husband was "having a stroke" during the presidential debate that took place in June 2024 ^[1].

Jill Biden had previously stated that the president's performance during that specific event led her to believe he was experiencing a medical emergency. However, the former officials found this claim implausible. The disagreement centers on whether the president's demeanor was a result of a medical crisis or other factors.

This internal conflict was reported by Thompson and subsequently detailed in reports by Fox News and Yahoo News ^[1], ^[2]. The former aides have not provided a public alternative explanation for the president's performance but remained firm in their disbelief of the stroke narrative.

The reports indicate that the anger felt by the former aides stems from the nature of the claim and how it characterized the president's condition during a high-stakes political event. The June 2024 ^[1] debate was a pivotal moment in the U.S. election cycle, drawing intense scrutiny to the president's age and cognitive health.