Biden’s Age Sparks Democratic Divide: Klain Clashes with Axelrod, Book Reveals

In a revealing new book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson uncover the heated tensions within Democratic circles over Joe Biden’s 2024 re-election bid. At the heart of the storm was a clash between Biden’s former Chief of Staff, Ron Klain, and Barack Obama’s campaign guru, David Axelrod, who dared to voice concerns about Biden’s age.

Axelrod, the mastermind behind Obama’s back-to-back victories, didn’t mince words. He warned in a 2022 New York Times interview that Biden, nearing 90 by the end of a second term, faced a daunting challenge in the grueling role of president. Klain, fiercely loyal, wasn’t having it. He reportedly tore into Axelrod over the phone, insisting Biden was the only Democrat proven to defeat Trump. “Who’s going to beat Trump?” Klain demanded, dismissing alternatives as risky bets with the nation’s future at stake.

The book paints a vivid picture of Axelrod’s growing unease. Having known Biden since Obama’s 2008 VP selection, Axelrod was shocked by how much Biden had aged during a 2018 visit. He advised Biden to lean on his experience but privately doubted his stamina for another run. By 2023, Axelrod’s concerns spilled onto social media, urging Biden to reconsider his candidacy for the country’s sake. Klain fired back publicly, jabbing at Axelrod’s earlier “Mr. Magoo” quip about Biden from 2019.

The drama peaked when Biden, stung by Axelrod’s critique, reportedly called him a “prick” in private—a jab that leaked to Politico. Behind closed doors, prominent Democrats quietly agreed with Axelrod but stayed silent, wary of undermining Biden as a Trump rematch loomed. The book also notes Biden’s team refuting claims of a cover-up, asserting he led with empathy and skill, with no evidence of neglected duties or compromised national security.

This saga exposes the Democratic Party’s internal wrestle: loyalty to a battle-tested leader versus the stark reality of time’s toll. As Biden pushed forward, the debate over his fitness revealed deeper questions about leadership in an unforgiving political arena.