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← Back to feed·Topics›Biden Recordings with Ghostwriter Released After Legal Proceedings
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Biden Recordings with Ghostwriter Released After Legal Proceedings

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Introduction

Audio recordings of former President Joe Biden's conversations with his ghostwriter, Mark Zwonitzer, have been released after legal proceedings. Biden had sought to keep these recordings private for several years.

Background

The recordings, totaling roughly 70 hours, were made in 2017 while Biden was working on his memoir, "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose." They became a focal point in a special counsel's investigation regarding Biden's handling of classified documents. The special counsel's report indicated that Biden had kept notes containing classified information at his home.

Current Situation

The recordings were released after a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling against Biden's attempts to prevent their disclosure. The Oversight Project, a conservative nonprofit, pursued the release through a Freedom of Information Act request. The recordings include Biden referencing potentially classified information and exhibiting moments of memory lapses during discussions with Zwonitzer.

Key Facts & Figures

  • 1Roughly 70 hours of audio recordings were made in 2017.
  • 2More than two hours of the recordings were shared with CBS News.
  • 3At least 35 minutes and 40 seconds of the recordings are redacted due to classified information.
  • 4Biden referenced classified meetings, including one with the CIA and another in the Situation Room.
  • 5Biden admitted to having classified documents in his home during the recordings.
  • 6The tapes were released after a two-year legal battle initiated by the Oversight Project.
  • 7The special counsel's report characterized Biden as having 'diminished faculties' and struggling to remember events.
  • 8Biden's spokesperson stated that the release of the tapes is an example of the DOJ being weaponized for political purposes.

Implications

The release of these recordings may impact public perception of Biden's cognitive abilities and handling of classified information, especially as he campaigns for re-election.

What's at Stake

The release of the recordings raises questions about Biden's memory and handling of classified information, which could influence his political future.

Next Steps

The implications of the recordings may affect Biden's campaign and public image as he seeks a second term.

How outlets framed it

Left Perspective

Emphasizes:

  • Frames the release of the recordings as a politically motivated action, citing Biden's spokesperson's statement about the DOJ's role in the release.
  • Highlights the nuanced nature of the recordings, suggesting that they do not provide clear evidence of cognitive decline, as indicated by the Washington Post's analysis.

Ignores:

  • The recordings include significant redactions due to classified information, which could imply the presence of sensitive content. (reported by The Daily Caller)
  • Biden's admission of having classified documents in his home during the recordings, which raises legal and ethical questions. (reported by The Daily Caller)
  • The Oversight Project's role in pursuing the release of the tapes through legal channels, which indicates a concerted effort to expose potential wrongdoing. (reported by The Federalist)

Right Perspective

Emphasizes:

  • Frames the recordings as evidence of Biden's cognitive decline, citing specific instances where he struggles to remember details during the conversations.
  • Highlights the significant redactions in the tapes, suggesting that they contain sensitive or classified information that Biden was discussing with his ghostwriter.

Ignores:

  • The tapes were made while Biden was working on his memoir and do not contain classified material in the published book, which could mitigate the implications of his comments. (reported by Politics - CBSNews.com)
  • Biden's spokesperson's comments regarding the political motivations behind the release, which provide context to the legal battle. (reported by Politics - CBSNews.com)
  • The conclusion of the special counsel's report that indicated a jury would likely view Biden sympathetically due to his age and memory issues, which complicates the narrative of legal culpability. (reported by Politics - CBSNews.com)

Key figures & entities

All figures →

People

JB
Joe Biden
Former President of the United States, involved in the release of the recordings.
MZ
Mark Zwonitzer
Biden's ghostwriter, who conducted the interviews that were recorded.
RH
Robert Hur
Special Counsel who investigated Biden's handling of classified documents.
TD
TJ Ducklo
Biden's spokesperson, who commented on the release of the recordings.
KB
Kyle Brosnan
General counsel for the Oversight Project, which pursued the release of the tapes.
KH
Kamala Harris
Vice President who defended Biden during the investigation.

Organizations

Source Articles

Politics

Left-leaning perspective

Read Article →

The Daily Caller

Right-leaning perspective

Read Article →

The Federalist

Right-leaning perspective

Read Article →

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Topic timeline

First seen
7/29/2026
Sources tracked
5
Oversight Project— Conservative nonprofit that pursued the release of Biden's recordings.
Department of Justice— Government agency involved in the investigation of Biden's classified documents.
Heritage Foundation— Conservative think tank that filed the FOIA request leading to the release of the tapes.
CBS News— Media outlet that reported on the released recordings.
Washington Post— Media outlet that provided analysis on the implications of the recordings.

Places

Washington, D.C.VirginiaUnited States

Policy areas

National SecurityPublic HealthElections

What figures are saying

“I did not share classified information. I did not share it with my ghostwriter.”
— Joe Biden, Former President of the United States · via Politics - CBSNews.com
“Joe Biden kept classified information. Joe Biden failed to properly secure classified information and Joe Biden shared classified information with people he wasn’t supposed to.”
— Jim Jordan, Chairman of the Judiciary Committeereaction · via The Federalist