Ex-DNC Chair Jaime Harrison Slams Book’s ‘Bold-Faced Lie’ About Biden’s Memory

Former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison fiercely disputed a claim in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's new book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, alleging that former President Joe Biden failed to recognize him at a 2023 event. In a heated exchange on MSNBC's The Weekend, Harrison called the assertion a "bold-faced lie", expressing frustration over the authors' persistence in pushing what he insists is a fabricated story.

"I’m 49, but maybe I need a cognitive test myself if I’m forgetting things like this," Harrison quipped, dismissing the claim as absurd and questioning the book's overall credibility.

The book also alleges Biden didn’t recognize actor George Clooney at a 2024 fundraiser, a narrative Harrison indirectly challenged by addressing another widely discussed moment. He recounted a viral clip from the same 2024 fundraiser, where former President Barack Obama appeared to guide Biden offstage. Harrison clarified that Biden was engaging with three young protesters shouting about Palestine, and Obama’s action was to steer him away from the disruption. "My wife and I were right there in the audience," Harrison said, corroborating his account with personal observation.

Harrison’s pushback extended to social media, where he reiterated his disbelief, stating, "Better check my cognitive abilities because I sure don’t remember this." He accused the authors of inventing details, a charge Axios' Jake Wilkins refuted, insisting the book’s reporting was accurate. The controversy underscores deeper tensions about media portrayals of Biden’s mental acuity, with Harrison suggesting the book’s narrative is part of a broader pattern of misrepresentation.

The former DNC chair also defended Biden’s legacy, recalling his steadfast support for the former president even after a shaky 2024 debate performance. "We’re still riding with Biden," Harrison had said, emphasizing loyalty rooted in Biden’s longstanding support for Democrats. This dispute highlights the contentious intersection of political reporting and personal credibility, with Harrison casting doubt on the motives behind such claims.