Overview

• Biden's advisers privately discussed the possibility of wheelchair use due to significant spinal degeneration during his 2023–2024 re-election campaign.
• Following a public fall in June 2023, aides implemented precautions, including shorter walking paths, handrails, and sneakers, to manage his mobility challenges.
• The White House publicly attributed Biden's halting walk to a 2020 foot fracture, despite internal acknowledgment of spinal arthritis as the primary cause.
• Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden's physician, reportedly warned that another severe fall could necessitate wheelchair use given Biden’s age and recovery challenges.
• The book, based on over 200 interviews, highlights the tension between managing Biden's health and the political risks of transparency during his campaign.