Newly Released Audio: Biden's Conversations with His Ghostwriter
Recently released audio clips offer a peek into former Vice President Joe Biden's discussions with his ghostwriter. These recordings touch upon topics from classified materials to his memories and reflections on his time in office.
Recently, new audio recordings of former Vice President Joe Biden chatting with his ghostwriter, Mark Lewis Zwonitzer, were made public. These clips seem to echo what Special Counsel Robert Hur noted in his 2024 report: that Biden discussed classified information, showed signs of forgetfulness, and kept classified materials after his term as Vice President ended.
In the released audio, Biden can be heard in a relaxed way, talking about notes he had from his time as Vice President. He even shared them with Zwonitzer. At one point, he mentioned, "They didn't even know I had this," as he seemingly showed his old notes, which included discussions about foreign policy matters that were seemingly classified during his Vice Presidency. The exact details of this information remain redacted in the clips.
The Path to Release: A Legal Battle
These audio tapes came into the public eye thanks to the Oversight Project, a part of the conservative Heritage Foundation. They successfully sued the Justice Department to get these recordings released. Biden initially tried to prevent their release but eventually dropped his legal challenges. A spokesperson for Biden didn't comment directly on the audio clips but did state last week that conversations about his late son for a book were private and given to the Department of Justice with the understanding they would stay that way. The spokesperson called the release an example of "weaponizing the DOJ for political retribution."
Throughout several parts of the audio, Biden struggles with recalling specific dates and information during his interviews with the ghostwriter. This aligns with Special Counsel Hur's report, which described Biden as an older man with "a poor memory." This aspect of his memory and his general disposition were actually factors in Hur's decision not to pursue charges against him, contributing to the idea that any mishandling of documents was accidental rather than intentional, and how a jury might perceive such a case.
Glimpses into Classified Discussions and Past Relationships
In one of the clips, Biden mentions finding classified documents and then shares his reasoning against sending more troops to Afghanistan in 2009. He recalled writing a 40-page memo to then-President Obama arguing against it, believing it wouldn't make a difference. In another instance, he simply states, "this is classified," without further context. The audio also offers insights into Biden’s relationship with former President Obama. Biden candidly shared that Obama would often get “pissed” at him over disagreements, particularly concerning economic strategies after the 2008 financial crisis. He felt he was a lone voice advocating for harsher action against bankers and believed Obama's administration might have been unconsciously influenced by Silicon Valley's interests.
Why this matters: These audio snippets highlight just how important clarity and accuracy are, especially when dealing with important historical records and public trust. For those of us who value calm and clear communication in our daily lives, these recordings serve as a reminder of the complexities of memory and information sharing, and how they can impact public perception and policy.
Written by Limmizen Newsroom
Originally reported by CNN. This piece is a Limmizen rewrite in our own voice.