A revealing new book by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios journalist Alex Thompson sheds light on a pivotal moment that shook confidence in President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign. In Original Sin, scheduled for release May 20, the authors recount a troubling scene from a high-profile Los Angeles fundraiser in June 2024 — one that left longtime ally George Clooney visibly alarmed and contributed to a growing unease about the president’s fitness for office.
The event, co-hosted by Clooney and actress Julia Roberts, was designed to be a celebratory and lucrative stop for Biden’s campaign. It succeeded financially, raising over $30 million. But backstage, according to the book, Biden appeared fragile and disconnected. When the president arrived at a private reception to greet supporters and pose for photos, he reportedly failed to recognize Clooney, despite the actor being a host of the event and one of Biden’s most visible backers.
“You know George,” an aide whispered to the president, guiding his arm. “Yeah, yeah,” Biden replied, without apparent recognition. The aide clarified again: “George Clooney.” Biden then offered a delayed, “Oh, yeah! Hi, George!”
Witnesses said the encounter left Clooney “shaken to his core.” According to the authors, Biden looked significantly older than the last time Clooney saw him in 2022, walked slowly in small steps, and required help from staff to remain oriented.
On stage during the event, Biden joined former President Barack Obama and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel for what was meant to be a lighthearted Q&A session. But the atmosphere shifted as Biden struggled to answer even simple, pre-screened questions. Observers, including Democratic Reps. Annie Kuster and Julia Brownley noticed signs of fatigue and cognitive strain. Kuster reportedly compared Biden’s demeanor to that of a struggling elderly relative, describing a sense of anxiety about what might happen next.
After the conversation ended, Biden paused at the edge of the stage and stared blankly into the audience. Obama gently took his arm and helped him offstage.
At the time, Clooney reportedly attributed Biden’s condition to jet lag. The president had just completed a grueling international travel schedule, flying back and forth across the Atlantic for the G7 summit in Italy, D-Day commemorations in France, and then briefly returning to the U.S. for his son Hunter Biden’s trial verdict.
But following Biden’s widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump 12 days later, in which he stumbled over words, lost his train of thought, and failed to project confidence, Clooney’s doubts resurfaced. Despite Obama advising against it, Clooney published an op-ed in The New York Times urging Biden to withdraw from the race, writing, “The one battle he cannot win is the fight against time.”
Clooney, who had supported Biden passionately in 2020, shared the op-ed in advance with Hollywood power broker Jeffrey Katzenberg and senior Biden aide Steve Ricchetti. Within weeks of the fundraiser, Biden ended his campaign and paved the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
Biden has since rejected the notion that his decision stemmed from cognitive decline. In a recent appearance on The View, he insisted, “They are wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that.” A spokesperson echoed this sentiment, stating that the administration sees no evidence that Biden’s capacity to govern had been compromised and praised his performance as effective throughout his term.
Still, Original Sin and other forthcoming books promise to further fuel discussions around presidential health, the duty of political allies to speak up, and the future of Democratic leadership.
