A new book claims Jill Biden’s political rise aligned with the decline of President Joe Biden’s career.
One year after his pivotal debate, Biden’s age has prompted investigations and books alleging cognitive decline. The latest, 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, explores the inner workings of his administration.
Released on Tuesday by journalists from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, the book highlights Jill Biden’s growing influence in the administration, alongside her top aide, Anthony Bernal.
Bernal, also a presidential assistant, was subpoenaed to testify on July 16 after refusing to appear before a committee probing an alleged cover-up of Biden’s mental decline, which argued executive privilege didn’t protect him.
The book claims Bernal accused Democratic strategist Anita Dunn of disloyalty for urging more transparency about the Biden family. It describes a “near-total ban” on discussing Hunter Biden as his federal trial coincided with the 2024 campaign. Jill Biden, often accompanied by Bernal, made a strong effort to attend the trial, even cutting short overseas trips or campaign events.
She attended the first three days of Hunter’s trial, briefly flew to France for D-Day events, then returned to Wilmington for day five—surprising West Wing staff, who hadn’t been informed. Her unannounced presence showed her independence from the White House, while Bernal remained closely by her side, leading the East Wing.
“He quickly bonded with Jill Biden and never left her side, becoming unflinchingly loyal to her and using his proximity to her to exert power wherever he decided. It was often unclear if the opinion he was expressing was his own or the first lady’s. Sometimes, when donors or voters asked her questions, Bernal would jump in to answer,” the authors said.
Jill Biden strongly defended both her son Hunter during his trial and President Biden after his poor debate performance against Trump. At a fundraiser, she declared Joe was not only the right but the only person for the job. The book describes her as a protective spouse—urging healthy habits, managing his schedule, and questioning staff decisions. In one instance, a Biden aide apologized after she objected to a press conference running too long.
As Democratic support wavered, Jill made it clear the party had to stand by her husband. After the debate, the Bidens took a planned family trip to Camp David, where Biden, according to the book, wasn’t considering dropping out but was assessing the damage.
According to the authors, dropping out was never seriously considered at Camp David, where Jill Biden and other close family members urged the president to stay in the race despite growing pressure to step aside. After regrouping in late June, Biden launched a media push, downplaying the debate as a “bad night” and attributing it to a cold.
“Biden also acknowledged he needed more sleep and said he told his staff that he should not participate in events that start after 8 p.m. But his message was clear: He was staying in the race,” the authors said.
Less than a month after the debate and just a week after the assassination attempt on Trump, Biden suspended his re-election campaign and later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
