Joe Biden’s Interview with Robert Hur: A Window into Cognitive Decline Concerns.

In October 2023, then-President Joe Biden sat for a high-stakes, two-day interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur as part of an investigation into the handling of classified documents from Biden’s time as vice president. The audio and transcript of this interview, released by Axios in May 2025, have reignited public and political debate about Biden’s cognitive capacity during the latter part of his presidency.

The recordings, marked by long pauses, halting speech, and memory lapses, have fueled claims from critics. This article examines the interview, its fallout, and the broader implications for Biden’s legacy.

The report noted Biden’s difficulty recalling key dates, including when he served as vice president and the year his son Beau died (2015), prompting accusations that Biden’s cognitive abilities were compromised.

The Biden administration released a transcript of the interview in March 2024 but blocked the audio’s release, citing executive privilege. House Republicans, alleging a cover-up, voted to hold Garland in contempt for refusing to turn over the recordings. The audio remained under wraps until May 2025, when Axios published a four-minute excerpt, with the Trump administration signaling plans to release the full recording.

The Audio: What It Reveals
The audio clip, obtained from the October 8, 2023, session, captures Biden struggling to answer questions about where he stored documents after leaving the vice presidency. His responses are marked by long pauses, a hoarse voice, and digressions into unrelated topics, such as his 2016 decision not to run for president. Notably, Biden incorrectly places his son Beau’s death in 2017 or 2018, requiring prompts from his legal team to clarify. A loud ticking clock in the background underscores the awkward silences, amplifying the perception of disorientation.

Broader Implications
The Hur interview and its aftermath raise critical questions about transparency, aging leadership, and political accountability. Critics argue that Biden’s team, by limiting unscripted appearances and controlling media access, obscured his condition, potentially undermining public trust.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, in a May 2025 interview with Politico, acknowledged that there was “no doubt” Biden experienced cognitive decline during his presidency, a rare admission from a party ally. However, Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, have consistently pushed back against these claims. During a May 8, 2025, appearance on The View, Biden denied significant cognitive decline, asserting that allegations were “wrong” and emphasizing his ability to govern effectively.

A central theme in recent reporting is the accusation that Biden’s inner circle, including aides and medical staff, concealed the extent of his cognitive challenges. Original Sin claims that aides debated whether Biden should undergo a cognitive test to prove his fitness but ultimately avoided it, fearing the results could damage his reelection bid. The book also describes efforts to manage Biden’s physical limitations, such as using handrails, wearing trainers, and shortening walking distances, suggesting a broader strategy to mask frailty.

Between July 2023 and March 2024, Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, made eight visits to the White House.

raised suspicions that Cannard was evaluating Biden for neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Republican lawmakers, including Representative Ronny Jackson, a former White House physician under three presidents, have accused O’Connor of withholding critical health information and possibly prescribing undisclosed medications to manage Biden’s alleged cognitive decline.

Jackson, now a Texas congressman, claimed in April 2025 that O’Connor’s actions amounted to a “massive cover-up” and suggested a “shadow presidency” driven by unelected aides and First Lady Jill Biden.

Jackson has called for a congressional investigation into O’Connor’s conduct, as well as into other medical experts who may have evaluated Biden for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. He speculated that Cannard’s visits were related to such assessments.

Biden administration has not commented on the purpose of Cannard’s visits, and O’Connor has not responded to allegations of withholding information.

Allegedly in July 2024 a neurologist, Dr. Jonathan Simpson, confirmed Biden had “significant brain lesions” linked to Alzheimer’s.