Bill takes his lead from Hillary…in most everything. Former President Bill Clinton raised eyebrows when he questioned if “anybody could do that job until they were 86” while defending President Biden’s capabilities in a recent CBS News interview. Clinton claimed he “never saw” Biden as incapable, despite claims in Jake Tapper’s new book about Biden’s cognitive decline. Biden was recently diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer and has started treatment.

Clinton Defends Biden While Raising Age Concerns

During a recent interview with CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith, former President Bill Clinton offered a mixed assessment of President Joe Biden’s health and capabilities. While defending Biden against claims of cognitive decline, Clinton inadvertently sparked controversy by questioning whether anyone could effectively serve as president into their mid-80s. The comments come at a sensitive time as Biden deals with a recent Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis and faces ongoing scrutiny about his mental acuity following revelations in a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.

Clinton directly addressed accusations about Biden’s fitness for office, stating, “I thought he was a good president. The only concern I thought he had to deal with was, Could anybody do that job until they were 86?” The former president went on to defend Biden’s mental capacity based on his personal interactions, claiming he never witnessed any signs of decline during their conversations.

NEW: Bill Clinton defends President Biden against the smears:

“I saw President Biden not very long ago and I thought he was in good shape.”

He added he’s never seen any cognitive decline.

“I thought he was a good president.”

Thank you, President Clinton, for standing up… pic.twitter.com/z9DsSSV4TT

— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) June 1, 2025

Dismissing Claims in Tapper’s “Original Sin”

The recently released book “Original Sin” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson has made serious allegations about Biden’s cognitive and physical decline. According to the book, Biden’s inner circle reportedly limited his work hours and restricted access to aides due to his declining condition. These claims contradict Clinton’s personal assessment of Biden, with the former president insisting he never observed any such limitations during their interactions. Clinton’s dismissal of these allegations has fueled debate about whether personal observations by political allies should outweigh reported concerns from inside the White House.

“I had never seen him and walked away thinking he can’t do this anymore. He was always on top of his brief.” – Bill Clinton

Clinton admitted he hasn’t read Tapper’s book, stating, “I didn’t know anything about any of this; I haven’t read the book. I saw President Biden not very long ago, and I thought he was in good shape.” This admission has led some critics to question whether Clinton is fully informed about the extent of the concerns raised about Biden’s health and cognitive state over the past year.

Clinton.

“I did not see any cognitive decline in Biden”

He also “Did not have sex with that Woman” pic.twitter.com/luNPdtSmqG

— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) June 1, 2025

Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis Adds to Health Concerns

Complicating matters further is Biden’s recent Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, which has added another layer to the ongoing discussion about his health. Biden has reportedly begun treatment for the condition, though details about his prognosis and treatment plan remain limited. The timing of this diagnosis, combined with the release of Tapper’s book and Clinton’s comments, has created a perfect storm of scrutiny regarding the president’s overall fitness.

Biden himself has responded to the ongoing health concerns with his characteristic humor. When asked about claims regarding his mental and physical competence, he sarcastically remarked that he was “mentally incompetent” and “can’t walk” but could still “beat the hell out of both of them,” presumably referring to political opponents. This defensive humor has become Biden’s standard response to questions about his fitness, leaving many wondering if it adequately addresses the serious concerns being raised.

Political Implications of Clinton’s Comments

Clinton’s comments have broader political implications beyond the immediate discussion of Biden’s health. By suggesting that Biden was a “good president” while simultaneously questioning whether anyone could serve effectively until age 86, Clinton has inadvertently highlighted one of the central concerns many voters had about Biden. This mixed message may reflect the complicated position many Democratic leaders find themselves in as they attempt to defend Biden’s legacy while acknowledging the legitimate concerns about advanced age in the presidency.

Clinton suggested that some are using Tapper’s book to blame Biden for President Trump’s reelection, indicating the political tensions that continue to surround discussions of Biden’s health and capabilities. As the national conversation about presidential fitness standards continues, Clinton’s comments serve as a reminder of how quickly casual remarks by former presidents can ignite controversy and shape public perception about current and former leaders.

Sources:

• Bill Clinton defends Biden on health reports: ‘I never saw him that way.’

• Bill Clinton Stuns CBS News Correspondent After Making Unbelievable Remarks Regarding Joe Biden’s Health (VIDEO)