A startling confrontation between House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Joe Biden reveals concerning patterns of cognitive decline during the president's last days in office.

According to Daily Mail, Biden appeared unaware of an executive order he signed regarding liquefied natural gas exports during a January 2024 meeting with Speaker Johnson, prompting fresh concerns about his mental acuity as he prepares to leave office.

The 82-year-old president's staff had developed intricate strategies to manage his schedule and public appearances throughout his term.

These revelations come from over two dozen Biden allies, including aides, lawmakers, and donors who shared details about their efforts to work around the president's declining mental state.

Biden Inner Circle Orchestrated Complex Management Strategy During Presidency

A small group of trusted confidants, including First Lady Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden, and key staffers, carefully controlled access to the president. They implemented various accommodations, such as rescheduling meetings based on his mood and delaying negative information delivery until they could frame it positively.

The management team made practical adjustments to protect Biden's public image. They shortened the Air Force One stairway to prevent potential stumbles and surrounded him with staff during walks to the South Lawn to mask any signs of frailty.

Speaker Johnson shared his alarming interaction with Biden, stating:

He genuinely didn't know what he had signed and I walked out of that meeting with fear and loathing because I thought, 'We are in serious trouble - who is running the country?' Like, I don't know who put the paper in front of him, but he didn't know.

Mounting Evidence Points To Widespread Staff Concerns Over Presidential Function

The president's team took extraordinary measures during fundraising events, requiring prepared teleprompters even for small gatherings in private homes. Donors were instructed to submit their questions in advance, allowing staff to manage Biden's responses carefully.

Despite his obvious struggles, Biden maintained a defiant stance about his capabilities. In a recent USA Today interview, he claimed he could have won reelection against Donald Trump, though he expressed uncertainty about serving until age 86.

The president's decision to end his reelection campaign in late July came after a particularly challenging debate performance that raised serious questions about his fitness for office. He later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost to Trump in all seven swing states.

Presidential Legacy Unfolds As Administration Draws To Close

As Biden prepares to leave office on Monday, the revelations about his cognitive state have sparked renewed debate about presidential fitness and succession planning. His closest advisers, including Anthony Bernal and Annie Tomasini, worked diligently to maintain appearances while managing an increasingly complex situation.

The administration's careful orchestration extended to controlling media access and pushing back against any suggestions of cognitive decline. However, the growing number of incidents, including the January meeting with Speaker Johnson, have made these efforts increasingly difficult to maintain.

Biden's legacy as the oldest president in American history will likely be shaped by these final revelations about his cognitive state and the extensive measures taken by his staff to manage his decline while in office.