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Headline Roundup May 17th, 2025

Leaked Audio from Biden's Robert Hur Interview Reveals Memory Lapses

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Audio from former President Joe Biden's 2023 interview with special counsel Robert Hur has been released, revealing his difficulty recalling key dates and extended moments of silence in the recording.

The Details: The audio, first published by Axios (Lean Left), captures moments during the special counsel investigation into the former president’s handling of classified documents when he could not remember important dates, including when his son, Beau Biden, died. Media reports also pointed to Biden struggling to recall when President Donald Trump was first elected. Despite the challenges, Biden refused any breaks offered by his lawyer, insisting that he wanted to "get it done."

Key Quotes: The audio triggered responses from Democrats and Republicans. Biden spokesperson Kelly Scully, told Axios: "The transcripts were released by the Biden administration more than a year ago. The audio does nothing but confirm what is already public." And Steve Guest, former communications adviser to Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said via x: "Joe Biden’s brain was pudding as president and his team covered it up."

How The Media Covered It: Media coverage across the spectrum appeared to be largely consistent. However, the Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) accused Democrats of hiding Biden’s condition, suggesting it was part of a broader cover-up of the “ex-president’s memory lapses about important information.” Axios (Lean Left) reported that while Biden struggled to remember key dates during the interview, “overall he was engaged in the interview.” Newsweek (Center) featured reactions from social media from both sides of the aisle. 

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Featured Coverage of this Story

From the Right
Leaked audio of Biden’s Robert Hur interview shows ex-president struggled to remember key dates
News

Audio of former President Joe Biden‘s October 2023 interview with special counsel Robert Hur was leaked Friday, revealing more insight into the ex-president’s memory lapses about important information.

During the interview Hur conducted for the investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents, Biden struggled to remember key dates, including when his son Beau Biden died and when President Donald Trump was first elected, and he trailed off topic when recalling past memories.

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From the Left
Exclusive: Prosecutor's audio shows Biden's memory lapses
News

Amid long, uncomfortable pauses, Joe Biden struggled to recall when his son died, when he left office as vice president, what year Donald Trump was elected or why he had classified documents he shouldn't have had, according to audio Axios obtained of his October 2023 interviews with special counsel Robert Hur.

Why it matters: The newly released recordings of Biden having trouble recalling such details — while occasionally slurring words and muttering — shed light on why his White House refused to release the recordings last year, as questions mounted about his mental acuity.

Open on Axios
From the Center
Biden White House Ripped After Robert Hur Audio Revealed: 'Scandal'
Biden White House Ripped After Robert Hur Audio Revealed: 'Scandal'

Credit: Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

News

Former President Joe Biden's administration was blasted on social media following a report from Axios featuring audio from Biden's interview with former special counsel Robert Hur, depicting the former president's memory lapses and prolonged pauses.

Newsweek reached out to Biden's office via online form and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) via email Friday night for comment.

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