Joe Biden's Ambien Use Before Key Debate Sparks Transparency Concerns in 2024 Campaign

Hunter Biden recently revealed in an interview that his father, Joe Biden, took the sleep medication Ambien prior to the June 2024 debate with Donald Trump, which marked a turning point in his re-election campaign. The disclosure sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the 's performance during the debate, which had been widely critiqued and ultimately led to his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

In the interview with YouTube host Andrew Callaghan, which aired on the anniversary of Joe Biden's decision to exit the campaign, Hunter Biden stated that his father was given Ambien to help with sleep due to an intense international travel schedule. Joe Biden had recently returned from trips to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and to Italy for a G7 summit. Upon his return to the United States, he attended a high-profile fundraiser in Los Angeles before heading to the Camp David presidential retreat for his debate preparations.

Hunter Biden explained that the travel demands and subsequent exhaustion were significant factors leading to his father's use of the sleep aid. During the debate, the then-president appeared visibly tired and made several notable missteps, which heightened concerns about his age and suitability for another term. These concerns were echoed by Democratic insiders and led to a flurry of discussions about the future of the party's nomination.

Hunter Biden also criticized prominent Democrats such as George Clooney, Democratic strategist James Carville, and David Axelrod, who had publicly expressed doubts about Joe Biden's campaign viability. Clooney, for example, had written an op-ed urging Biden to step aside, citing concerns about his age and effectiveness. Hunter Biden dismissed these critics, questioning their influence and motives.

In light of the debate performance and ensuing party pressure, Joe Biden decided to withdraw from the race on July 21, 2024, endorsing then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Hunter Biden defended his father’s record, highlighting his legislative accomplishments and arguing that internal party disloyalty contributed to their electoral challenges.

Despite reports of the Ambien usage, Joe Biden's annual physical reports and medical records did not disclose the sleep medication as part of his prescriptions, leading to further speculation about the transparency of his health disclosures at the time. Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, did not mention Ambien in any of the president's publicly available health reports, which has added an additional layer of scrutiny to the situation.

Hunter Biden has continuously defended his father’s legacy, asserting that the Democratic Party achieved significant progress during Joe Biden's term and expressing disappointment in the party's response following the debate. Furthermore, Hunter Biden suggested that the decision to endorse Harris was ultimately an altruistic move to preserve party unity and ensure a coherent strategy against Trump in the general election.

The debate incident and Hunter Biden's recent comments have reignited discussions about the role of age, health, and transparency in political campaigns, especially given the challenging dynamics and high stakes of presidential elections. While Joe Biden's departure from the race marked a significant shift in the Democratic strategy, the lasting implications of those events remain the subject of analysis and debate within political circles.