Overview

• The book “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America” reports that after New York Times correspondent Tyler Pager reached Biden on his personal cell in March, aides blocked his number and within 48 hours triggered a Verizon disconnect message.
• Pager secured two brief calls in March 2025 during which Biden offered candid criticisms of President Trump’s second term and said he had no regrets about ending his 2024 campaign.
• Biden’s team reacted to the calls by repeatedly calling and texting Pager in anger before installing the disconnect, underscoring an entrenched information-control strategy.
• This incident follows earlier reporting that Biden’s inner circle limited his engagement with Cabinet members, press briefings and campaign pollsters to filter out negative feedback.
• Observers say the continued isolation campaign reflects deep anxiety over Biden’s performance and health and has fueled bipartisan demands for greater transparency on presidential access and capacity.