President Joe Biden speaks during the consequential debate on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Mike Donilon, Bruce Reed and Klain were among those leading Biden's final prep ahead of the debate, according to the book.
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Despite Klain expressing doubt internally, Klain continued to defend the president amid calls from donors and politicians for Biden to step down.
On June 30, 2024, Klain reshared an X post that urged Americans to ignore the "news reports" with "anonymous sources about Dem donors calling for Biden to withdraw."
"We are the Democratic Party! These people don't get to decide to oust a pro-labor pro-people President," Klain said on July 4, 2024, in response to The New York Times reporting about the Democrats' pressure campaign against Biden.
President Joe Biden speaks to members of the press before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Jan. 13, 2024. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Even before the debate, when concerns about the first octogenarian president's ability to lead the country through a second term came to a boiling point, Klain had concerns, as portrayed in the book.
Klain had overseen debate prep for every Democratic presidential candidate since 2004, according to the authors. Between Biden's cold, a shorter prep window than usual and staffers privately expressing concern, debate prep in Camp David did not quite go as planned, the authors claimed.
"This is going to be really touch and go in Atlanta," Klain told Donilon and Reed ahead of the debate, according to the book.
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Fox News Digital has written extensively dating back to the 2020 presidential campaign about Biden's cognitive decline and his inner circle’s alleged role in covering it up.
When reached for comment, Klain told Fox News Digital, "I have nothing to add."
Biden did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-book-reveals-what-top-ex-biden-aide-thinking-during-disastrous-debate