Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain disclosed to the House that President Biden exhibited less energy towards the end of his term and was considered politically ineffective by Hillary Clinton.

Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain disclosed to the House that President Biden exhibited less energy towards the end of his term and was considered politically ineffective by Hillary Clinton.

Ron Klain, the former White House chief of staff under President Joe Biden, testified before the House Oversight Committee. During the testimony, Klain addressed concerns about Biden's mental fitness and performance during his term.

According to Klain, there was tension inside the Biden camp over his candor, but he denied that Biden lacked cognitive acuity to govern or was too old to run for re-election in 2024. He also revealed that Biden was at best a senior member of the decision-making board, with a small group of senior aides really "running the country."

Klain admitted that Biden was less energetic, had a poorer memory, and frequently mixed up names during his term. He also expressed concern that Biden might have thought he was president of NATO instead of the US and privately declared "we're f-ked" after Biden's unsteady June 2024 debate performance.

However, it's important to note that there is no credible or verified public evidence from authoritative sources that former President Joe Biden’s mental fitness was explicitly questioned by his national security adviser Jake Sullivan or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during his final year in office.

Throughout 2024, concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive performance were raised publicly and politically, particularly in relation to his debate performances, unscripted remarks, and some noticeable gaffes. Polls showed that a significant portion of American voters doubted his mental fitness.

The Wall Street Journal and other media reported that Biden’s team limited his schedule and media interactions in order to manage perceptions about his age and mental acuity, indicating "good and bad days" since as far back as 2021. Some Democrats including members of Congress publicly supported Biden’s cognitive abilities during this period, stating he remained focused and effective, while Republicans criticized his mental fitness.

There were investigations and political hearings in 2025 driven by Senate Republicans focused on Biden’s health and mental fitness with Democrats largely disputing the allegations and boycotting those hearings.

Other key figures, such as former senior adviser Annie Tomasini, first lady Jill Biden's powerful former chief of staff Anthony Bernal, and former presidential physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor, also testified about Biden's decline.

In addition, Klain donated $5,000 for Hunter Biden's legal defense fund at the request of attorney Abbe Lowell. Klain did not exercise his constitutional protection against self-incrimination during the testimony.

Jeff Zients, Klain's successor as chief of staff, is scheduled to be questioned by the Oversight Committee. Zients recently gave the final stamp of approval to eleventh-hour pardons signed with an autopen.

Rep. Ro Khanna found Klain to be credible and cooperative during the testimony.

Despite the political debates and media scrutiny, the claims about Biden's mental fitness appear to stem mostly from partisan speculation and political disputes rather than documented insider critiques from Sullivan or Clinton within the cited materials.

1. Ron Klain, amidst concerns about President Joe Biden's mental fitness and performance, testified before the House Oversight Committee.
2. Klain mentioned internal tensions within the Biden camp due to Biden's candor, but denied claims that Biden lacked cognitive acuity or was too old for a potential 2024 re-election bid.
3. Klain acknowledged that Biden was less energetic and had memory struggles during his term.
4. He also shared concerns about Biden potentially mistaking his position as president of the US for that of NATO.
5. Despite these concerns, no credible public evidence exists from authoritative sources like Jake Sullivan or Hillary Clinton questioning Biden's mental fitness during his final year in office.
6. Throughout 2024, discussions revolving around Biden’s age and cognitive performance were prevalent, often linked to his debate performances, unscripted remarks, and noticeable gaffes.
7. Polls revealed a significant portion of American voters harboring doubts about Biden's mental fitness.
8. Biden’s team strategically limited his schedule and media interactions, largely due to perceptions about his age and mental acuity, since as early as 2021.
9. Some Democratic members of Congress publicly asserted that Biden remained focused and effective.
10. In contrast, Republicans criticized his mental fitness.
11. Senate Republicans initiated investigations and political hearings focused on Biden's health and mental fitness in 2025, with Democrats largely disputing the allegations.
12. Other key figures such as Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, and Dr. Kevin O'Connor also testified.
13. Klain donated $5,000 to Hunter Biden's legal defense fund at the request of attorney Abbe Lowell.
14. Jake Sullivan's alleged insider critiques, as well as any documented critiques from Hillary Clinton, are absent from the cited materials.
15. Jeff Zients, Klain's successor as chief of staff, is slated to be questioned by the Oversight Committee.
16. Zients recently authorized the signing of eleventh-hour pardons using an autopen.
17. Rep. Ro Khanna deemed Klain as credible and cooperative during the testimony.
18. Claims about Biden's mental fitness seem largely rooted in partisan speculation and political disputes rather than documented insider critiques.
19. Specifically, the claims do not appear backed by documented critiques from Sullivan or Clinton within the cited materials.
20. The media consistently reported on these claims, giving rise to political debates and scrutiny.
21. Climate change and other environmental issues were also major points of discussion in politics and media during this period.
22. Biden’s performance in business and finance-related matters was also subject to public analysis.
23. Evidence of his management of the country’s manufacturing industry was scrutinized, raising questions about the economy and job growth.
24. The healthcare sector garnered significant attention, particularly with regards to healthcare reform, COVID-19 response, and combat against chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes, cancer, and respiratory and digestive conditions.
25. Biden's initiatives to improve eye, hearing, and skin health, as well as mental and sexual health, were topics of debate.
26. The impact of Biden’s family and personal life on his health and performance was a point of interest.
27. Autoimmune disorders, such as psoriasis, also emerged as areas of concern.
28. The influence of climate change on various industries was explored, with policies and legislation proposed to address it.
29. Debates over war and conflicts, energy, transportation, entrepreneurship, and specific business sectors like retail, aviation, and automotive were also part of the political landscape.

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