A bombshell book just dropped, exposing First Lady Jill Biden’s surprising grip on power as her husband’s political ship started sinking, according to The New York Post.
"2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America," authored by journalists from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, unpacks Jill Biden’s outsized role in President Joe Biden’s administration amid his career’s twilight and a disastrous debate performance that ultimately led to him dropping out of the presidential race.
Let’s rewind to the early days of this saga, where Jill Biden’s influence began to grow as President Biden faced scrutiny over his age—being the first octogenarian in the Oval Office—and whispers of cognitive decline started swirling.
Reports of congressional probes and a slew of books dissecting his mental state have only fanned the flames. It’s no surprise that conservatives have long questioned whether the administration was upfront with the public.
According to the book, released on Tuesday, Jill Biden morphed into a fierce protector of her husband, nudging him toward healthier habits like eating veggies and keeping his schedule tight.
She even grilled staffers when she felt they dropped the ball, like in January 2022, when she demanded answers about a press conference that dragged on too long, prompting an apology from an aide. This isn’t just a spouse being supportive; it’s a glimpse into a First Lady wielding real clout.
Then there’s Anthony Bernal, Jill Biden’s chief of staff, who rose alongside her, becoming a loyal gatekeeper whose influence often blurred the lines between his views and hers.
The book paints a picture of Bernal as so close to the First Lady that staff couldn’t tell whose opinion was being voiced. This kind of unchecked power raises eyebrows for those of us skeptical of unelected insiders pulling strings.
Bernal’s role didn’t go unnoticed—he was even subpoenaed to testify on July 16 over allegations of a cover-up regarding Biden’s mental state, though the committee argued executive privilege didn’t shield him. His refusal to appear only deepens the suspicion of a lack of transparency. If there’s nothing to hide, why the stonewalling?
Fast forward to June 2024, when Hunter Biden’s federal trial became a lightning rod during the president’s re-election bid, and Jill Biden didn’t shy away from the spotlight.
She jetted across continents—from campaign events to France for the D-Day commemoration— just to sit in the Wilmington courtroom for key days of the trial. West Wing staffers were reportedly stunned, as her plans often bypassed White House coordination, showcasing her independent streak.
The book also reveals a strict “no-talk” rule among staff about Hunter’s legal woes, a near-total blackout on the topic. It’s understandable to shield family matters, but when you’re in the public eye, this level of secrecy can look like dodging accountability. Conservatives have long argued that transparency, not silence, builds trust.
Bernal, ever the loyal shadow, accompanied Jill to the trial, further cementing his role as a key player in her orbit. The authors note how he’d even intercept questions meant for her, muddying the waters on who was speaking. It’s a curious dynamic that begs the question: Who’s steering this ship?
Then came the debate debacle against Donald Trump, a performance so dismal it left donors and Democratic leaders reeling. Jill Biden, however, stood firm as her husband’s fiercest advocate, insisting the party rally behind him. “Joe isn’t just the right person for the job,” she declared at a fundraiser soon after, showing her resolve even as the ground shifted.
“He’s the only person for the job,” she added, a statement that hits hard but feels disconnected from the growing doubts within her party. For many on the right, this unwavering stance seems less like loyalty and more like denial of a sinking reality. Shouldn’t leaders adapt when the evidence mounts?
During a family retreat at Camp David in late June 2024, dropping out wasn’t even on the table, with Jill among the inner circle urging Biden to fight on despite mounting pressure.
The book notes the president was merely “taking stock of how bad things were.” It’s a stubbornness that conservatives might admire in principle, but question when it risks a party—or a nation’s future.
In the weeks that followed, Biden tried to salvage his image with TV interviews, chalking up the debate flop to a “bad night,” a cold, and a need for more rest, even admitting events past 8 p.m. were off-limits. Yet, he doubled down on staying in the race. It’s a gritty determination, but one that many on the right saw as ignoring the writing on the wall.
As Fox News Digital has long reported, allegations of a cover-up surrounding Biden’s cognitive state have dogged this administration since the 2020 campaign, and this book only adds fuel to that fire.
While a Biden spokesperson didn’t respond to requests for comment, the silence speaks volumes to those of us who value straight answers over political spin. Jill Biden’s role, as protector and power player, may be the real story here—a cautionary tale of influence behind the scenes when America needed clarity most.