Former First Lady Jill Biden has reiterated her concerns about her husband, former President Joe Biden, being potentially drugged before the 2024 debate. During a recent podcast with host Jamie Kern Lima, Jill Biden addressed whether doctors had ruled out a stroke on the night of the debate.
Lima questioned whether a stroke was considered by doctors. Jill Biden reflected on the event, saying, “They did. I didn’t directly ask if he had a stroke, but I asked if he was okay.” She mentioned that her book writing process led her to question the situation at that time.
“I wasn’t horrified. I was frightened,” Jill Biden recalled.
Lima inquired what Jill’s instincts suggested had happened. Jill Biden admitted she was unsure. She noted her husband’s fatigue from travel and that she was only with him for a short time before the debate. Speculation over the possibility of someone tampering with Joe Biden’s drink was also raised, to which Jill responded, “Who knows?”
The incident sparked backlash, particularly after Jill Biden revealed that Joe Biden whispered to her, “I really messed up,” following the debate. The debate against Donald Trump saw Joe Biden struggling with coherence, leading some supporters to question his continuation as the nominee.
Jill Biden’s memoir, “View from the East Wing,” details her experiences, and she described the debate as an aberration. Despite being surrounded by doctors, she was reassured of Joe Biden’s health at the time and they continued with their engagements.
The 2024 debate remains a sensitive issue for Democrats. Former Vice President Kamala Harris ultimately lost the election to Donald Trump. Andrew Bates, a former Biden spokesperson, criticized the public reopening of the topic. In response, Jill Biden said, “Call me up, and say it to my face, buddy.”
Fox News Digital shared insights from George Washington University’s political management professor Matt Dallek, who suggested that the memoir tour might not significantly impact upcoming elections. However, many Democrats see the Bidens as focused on past events and the Trump era.
Jill Biden’s comments are part of broader discussions about the Biden legacy within the Democratic Party. Joe Biden is expected to release his own book reflecting on his presidency in November.