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Category: News
May 14, 2025
News
World

South Africa’s President Slams Afrikaner Refugees as ‘Cowards’ for Fleeing Persecution.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized white Afrikaner refugees for leaving the country, labeling their departure as “cowardly.”

👥 Who’s Involved: President Cyril Ramaphosa, Afrikaner refugees, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel.

📍 Where & When: South Africa; comments made at an agricultural convention following the arrival of 49 Afrikaner refugees in Washington, D.C., on May 13.

💬 Key Quote: “When you run away, you’re a coward, and that’s a real cowardly act, and I expect every South African to stay here, and we work together, and we solve our problems.” — President Cyril Ramaphosa.

⚠️ Impact: The remarks highlight tensions over South Africa’s racist land redistribution policies and the U.S. granting refugee status to Afrikaners.

IN FULL:

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denounced white Afrikaner refugees who recently emigrated to the United States, describing their departure as an act of cowardice. His comments came after the first group of 49 Afrikaners, granted refugee status by the U.S., landed in Washington, D.C. Reports suggest up to 70,000 additional Afrikaners have applied for refugee status under the policy.

Speaking at a surprise appearance at an agricultural convention on Tuesday, Ramaphosa addressed the issue, stating that those leaving South Africa were unwilling to accept the government’s “transformation” policies. New “expropriation without compensation” laws aim to forcibly redistribute land and wealth along racial lines.

“They may be feeling excited they’ve left the country, they’ve got somebody like President Trump, but in the end, it’s a group of South Africans demonstrating that the changes and transformation that we are embarking upon here, they are not favourably disposed to it, and that’s why they are running away.”

He continued, “When you run away, you’re a coward, and that’s a real cowardly act. I expect every South African to stay here, and we work together, and we solve our problems.”

Afriforum, a group representing Afrikaners, pushed back against Ramaphosa’s statements. CEO Kallie Kriel issued a strong response on social media, accusing the South African government of fostering an unsafe environment for Afrikaners. The group often highlights threats and violence, including deadly violence, targeting white farmers in the country, even before the government’s moves to seize their land.

President Donald J. Trump has accused the South African government of presiding over a “genocide” against Afrikaners. Tensions between the governments of the two countries have been high in recent months over the mistreatment of white Afrikaner people, who have been in southern Africa since the 1600s—which is as long as some of its black African ethnic groups, with roots in tribes that migrated to the territory from further north, at least in some areas.

South Africa is a country where the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party, led by extremist Julius Malema regularly sing a song calling for the killing of Afrikaner farmers. Malema himself has not ruled out murdering white South Africans if his extremist party—already the fourth-largest in the South African legislature, out of 18 with representation there—ever comes to power.

“We’ve not called for the killing of white people, at least for now. I can’t guarantee the future,” he said in an interview in 2018.

Image via GovernmentZA.

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May 14, 2025
News
World

Germany Detains Three Ukrainians Over Alleged Bomb Plots.

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❓What Happened: Three Ukrainian nationals were arrested in Germany and Switzerland over suspicions of plotting parcel bomb attacks on behalf of Russia.

👥 Who’s Involved: The suspects are identified as Vladyslav T., Daniil B., and Yevhen B., allegedly working for Russian state actors.

📍 Where & When: Arrests occurred in Germany on Friday and Saturday, and in Switzerland on Tuesday; the plot dates back to March.

💬 Key Quote: “The goal is to exploit an adversary’s vulnerabilities in multiple areas to create ambiguity,” said Olha Danchenkova, an expert on hybrid warfare.

⚠️ Impact: The arrests highlight ongoing concerns over sabotage and hybrid warfare tactics linked to Russia amid its conflict with Ukraine.

IN FULL:

Three Ukrainian nationals have been apprehended in Germany and Switzerland, accused of conspiring to carry out parcel bomb attacks allegedly at the direction of Russian actors, German prosecutors revealed on Wednesday.

The suspects, identified under German privacy laws as Vladyslav T., Daniil B., and Yevhen B., are believed to have been planning sabotage operations targeting freight transport. According to prosecutors, the men intended to send explosive or incendiary packages from Germany to Ukraine, with the devices set to detonate during transit. Previously, there have been incidents of suspicious fires on air freight planes linked to Russia and Ukraine.

Two of the suspects, Vladyslav T. and Daniil B., were detained in separate locations in Germany last Friday and Saturday, while Yevhen B. was arrested in Switzerland’s Thurgau region on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege that in March, the three men communicated their willingness to carry out attacks to individuals suspected of acting on behalf of Russian state agencies.

As part of the plot, Vladyslav T. reportedly sent two “test packages” fitted with GPS trackers in Cologne at the end of March to assess transport routes. The contents of these packages were allegedly provided by Yevhen B. through Daniil B.

The arrests come as Berlin remains vigilant against potential sabotage efforts linked to Moscow, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Experts have suggested that the alleged parcel bomb scheme represents a form of hybrid warfare, a tactic combining conventional military operations with non-military measures such as disinformation and economic coercion.

“The goal is to exploit an adversary’s vulnerabilities in multiple areas to create ambiguity,” explained Olha Danchenkova, co-founder of the Ukrainian communications agency Calibrated. She noted hybrid warfare often includes cyberattacks, propaganda, and other unconventional tactics to destabilize targets. For instance, Russia is accused of facilitating a flood of African and Middle Eastern migrants into Poland and other European NATO members via its ally Belarus in recent years, to destabilize the European Union (EU).

Ukraine is also accused of conducting sabotage operations in Western Europe, most notably against the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which bypassed Ukrainian territory to supply Russian natural gas directly to Germany.

Image by Markus Spiske.

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May 14, 2025
News
Religion

New Pope Not Woke, MAGA-Supporting Brother Says.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Louis Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, discussed the new pontiff on Piers Morgan Uncensored, emphasizing his centrist stance.

👥 Who’s Involved: Pope Leo XIV, his brother Louis Prevost, and Piers Morgan.

📍 Where & When: Interview aired on Piers Morgan Uncensored this week.

💬 Key Quote: “He’s not left. He’s not right. He looks at the whole scene, takes information from both sides, and somehow finds a way to go down the middle and not ruffle too many feathers,” said Prevost.

⚠️ Impact: Prevost’s comments suggest moderation in the Catholic Church’s direction under Pope Leo XIV, without the sometimes drastic shifts associated with the late Pope Francis.

IN FULL:

Louis Prevost, the brother of Pope Leo XIV and a public supporter of President Donald J. Trump, discussed his brother on Piers Morgan Uncensored this week, describing him as a centrist and rejecting the idea that he is “woke.”

When asked if he thought Pope Leo XIV would be a “very liberal pope,” Prevost responded, “No, I do not. [But] I don’t think he’s going to roll back the changes that Francis made. I think he’s going to [say], ‘Here we are. Let’s continue down this path now.’”

Prevost elaborated on his brother’s approach, stating, “When we were growing up, he wasn’t, like, super political. He’s not left. He’s not right. He looks at the whole scene, takes information from both sides, and somehow finds a way to go down the middle and not ruffle too many feathers.”

Highlighting the pope’s expertise, Prevost noted that Pope Leo is very well versed in Roman Catholic canon law and he doubts that he will pull the Church “hard left” but will be more of a centrist.

He’s probably much more liberal than I am, but that’s us. And again, that’s his position as a priest in the church, as part of the clergy.”

The first American Pope, Pope Leo was revealed to be a registered Republican soon after his election by the College of Cardinals at the most recent Papal Conclave. The Supreme Pontiff began his papacy by wearing the traditional vestments of the Pope, something Pope Francis declined to do after this election in 2013.

His first Holy Mass was also mainly said in Latin, the traditional language of the Church. During his first homily, Pope Leo warned against a lack of faith in the world and urged the Church to be a beacon in regions where faithlessness was prevalent.

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May 14, 2025
Education

Trump Administration Slashes Another $450 Million in Harvard Grants.

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❓What Happened: The Trump administration has announced an additional $450 million cut in federal grants to Harvard University, citing issues of liberal bias and antisemitism.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump administration, President Donald J. Trump, Harvard University, the U.S. Department of Education, and Harvard President Alan Garber.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., and Harvard University, announcement made on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “There is a dark problem on Harvard’s campus, and by prioritizing appeasement over accountability, institutional leaders have forfeited the school’s claim to taxpayer support,” stated a federal antisemitism task force.

⚠️ Impact: Harvard faces a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funds, the loss of an additional $450 million in grants, and potential revocation of its tax-exempt status and foreign student program eligibility.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has announced an additional $450 million cut in federal grants to Harvard University, intensifying its pressure campaign against the Ivy League institution over its toleration of anti-conservative bias, antisemitism, and noncompliance with federal rules. A letter sent on Tuesday to the university from a federal antisemitism task force confirmed the cuts to grants and reiterated that an additional $2.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard remains frozen due to the intransigence of the academic institution’s leadership.

According to the letter, Harvard continues to foster a culture of “virtue signaling and discrimination” and criticizes its leadership for failing to address ongoing issues. “There is a dark problem on Harvard’s campus, and by prioritizing appeasement over accountability, institutional leaders have forfeited the school’s claim to taxpayer support,” the letter states.

The Trump administration has been increasingly critical of Harvard, particularly after the university openly defied federal directives to curtail pro-Hamas demonstrations and eliminate discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Last week, the Department of Education announced that Harvard would not receive any new federal grants until it complies with government rules and stipulations, which include leadership changes, revised admissions policies, and audits to ensure ideological diversity.

President Donald J. Trump has also called for Harvard to lose its tax-exempt status, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has threatened to revoke the university’s eligibility to host foreign students. Even House Republicans are taking umbrage with Harvard and have included increased taxation of non-religious university endowments in their budget reconciliation bill. Notably, Harvard and other elite U.S. universities have long been criticized for managing their endowments less like academic institutions and more like hedge funds, leading to calls for them to be treated for tax purposes as the latter.

In response, Harvard President Alan Garber has disputed the allegations, describing the sanctions as an “unlawful attempt to control fundamental aspects of our university’s operations.” Garber insisted that the university is nonpartisan and has taken measures to address antisemitism on campus. Currently, the university is suing the Trump administration over the funding freeze.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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May 14, 2025
Crime
UK

Lawmaker Faces Charges in Dual Sex Assault Cases.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Spencer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault.

👥 Who’s Involved: Patrick Spencer, MP for England’s Central Suffolk and North Ipswich constituency (electoral district), and two alleged victims.

📍 Where & When: Alleged incidents occurred at the Groucho Club, London, in August 2023. Spencer will appear in court on June 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect,” said a Conservative Party spokesman.

⚠️ Impact: Spencer has been suspended from the Conservative Party and barred from attending the parliamentary estate during the investigation.

IN FULL:

Patrick Spencer, the British Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault. The charges relate to alleged incidents involving two women at the Groucho Club in London in August 2023.

The 37-year-old MP, elected to Parliament in July 2024, as the Conservatives more broadly were being ousted by Labour after 14 years in government, was not serving in Parliament at the time of the alleged incidents. Spencer is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 16, 2025.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that Spencer attended a voluntary interview at a London police station on March 13, 2025. Following their investigation, charges were brought. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) special crime and counter-terrorism division, stated, “Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP.”

The Conservative Party has responded by suspending Spencer and withdrawing the party whip. A party spokesman stated, “We have taken immediate action. Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect.” The party emphasized its commitment to integrity and high standards but declined further comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

The case against Spencer is just one of a slew of sex crime allegations levelled against British MPs in recent years. One of the most infamous involved Conservative MP Imran Ahmad Khan, who was found guilty in 2022 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was driven from office in part because he was aware of sexual assault allegations involving two men at a London club against former MP Christopher Pincher, but still promoted him to a senior role in the party.

A parliamentary investigation by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) ultimately found Pincher guilty of “an egregious case of sexual misconduct” that constituted an abuse of power. Johnson initially lied, saying that he was unaware of the allegations.

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

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May 13, 2025
Immigration
News

Venezuelans Threatened Hostage-Taking in ICE Detention.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A group of detained Venezuelan men in Texas barricaded themselves, covered cameras, and threatened to take hostages, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump administration, 23 Venezuelan detainees accused of gang affiliation, ICE officials, and immigration attorneys.

📍 Where & When: Incident occurred on April 23 at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility in Texas; detainees were moved to another facility on May 4.

💬 Key Quote: “They threatened to take hostages and injure facility contract staff and ICE officers,” stated Joshua D. Johnson, acting ICE director for the Dallas office.

⚠️ Impact: The administration claims the incident underscores the danger posed by alleged Tren de Aragua gang members and justifies using the Alien Enemies Act to execute swift deportations.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has escalated its efforts to deport a group of Venezuelan detainees accused of gang affiliations, citing an April 23 incident at a Texas detention facility. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials allege the men, identified as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, barricaded themselves inside their unit at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility, covered surveillance cameras, and threatened to take hostages.

According to a sworn statement by Joshua D. Johnson, acting ICE director for the Dallas office, the detainees “refused their breakfast trays and barricaded both the front and rear entrance doors of their housing unit using bed cots.” Johnson also stated that the group attempted to flood the unit by clogging toilets and blocked windows to prevent observation. “They threatened to take hostages and injure facility contract staff and ICE officers,” Johnson added.

On May 4, the 23 men were transferred to the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, a move that placed them under a different court jurisdiction. The administration claims the alleged actions of these individuals highlight the risks posed by Tren de Aragua members in detention and justifies invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite deportations.

The detainees reportedly fear being sent to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked deportations in this case while attorneys challenge the administration’s actions.

Members of Tren de Aragua flooded into the United States under the former Biden-Harris regime, taking over entire apartment complexes in some cities. Members have been linked to extortion as well as other serious crimes, including murder.

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May 13, 2025
News
Religion

Researchers Claim to Have Found Noah’s Ark.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A geological formation near Mount Ararat in Turkey is being studied by researchers who believe it could be the remains of Noah’s Ark.

👥 Who’s Involved: Independent researchers from Noah’s Ark Scans, including Andrew Jones and William Crabtree.

📍 Where & When: Durupinar Formation, 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, Turkey. Recent findings published in May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “This is not what you’d expect to see if the site were simply a solid block of rock or the result of random mudflow debris,” said Andrew Jones.

⚠️ Impact: The findings could provide evidence supporting the Biblical account of Noah’s Ark, sparking renewed debate over the site’s origins.

IN FULL:

Researchers from Noah’s Ark Scans have unveiled findings from the Durupinar Formation, a site in Turkey believed by some to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark. Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), the team identified angular structures and a 13-foot tunnel running through the center of the formation, with features resembling hallways and rooms.

Andrew Jones, an independent researcher with the project, explained that the scans revealed three distinct layers beneath the surface, consistent with the Biblical description of the Ark having three decks. “What’s left is the chemical imprint, pieces of wood, and in the ground, the shape of a hall,” Jones recently told the media.

The formation, located 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, was first revealed in 1948 after heavy rains and earthquakes washed away surrounding mud. The Bible describes Noah’s Ark as a massive wooden vessel that saved mankind and animals from a catastrophic flood over 4,300 years ago, coming to rest on the “mountains of Ararat.”

William Crabtree, another researcher, noted that soil analysis from the site revealed elevated potassium levels and higher organic matter inside the formation compared to the surrounding soil. “If this was a wooden boat and the wood had rotted over time, we would expect to see elevated levels of potassium, changes in pH, and higher organic content—and that’s exactly what we’re finding,” Crabtree stated.

The team also observed that grass within the boat-shaped formation differs in color from the surrounding area, which they suggest may indicate a man-made origin. Plans for further testing include core drilling and additional GPR scans to compare the formation’s interior with its exterior.

While some scientists argue the site is a natural geological feature, others see the findings as evidence supporting the Biblical account. Jones emphasized the importance of their ongoing work, saying, “We want to compare what’s inside the formation to what’s outside. That could give us a much clearer picture of whether this is truly something man-made.”

Image by Mfikretyilmaz.

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May 13, 2025
Economy
Lawfare

Pro-Corporate Groups, Democrat-Run States Launch Lawfare Suits to Kneecap Trump Tariffs.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump declared a national emergency to impose tariffs on numerous countries in April, sparking lawsuits challenging his executive authority.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, five businesses, the Liberty Justice Center, a dozen states.

📍 Where & When: U.S. Court of International Trade, New York, May 13.

💬 Key Quote: “That statute doesn’t actually say anything about giving the president the power to tariff,” said Jeffrey Schwab of the Liberty Justice Center.

⚠️ Impact: The tariffs have generated substantial revenues for the U.S. and forced a number of countries into negotiations with the Trump administration, offering to lower their own tariffs and open their markets to U.S. exports. However, anti-tariff lawsuits could lead to Supreme Court rulings on the use of presidential trade powers.

IN FULL:

A federal trade court is hearing challenges to President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs, introduced under a national emergency declaration. Some small businesses and states now argue that the president exceeded his legal authority.

The legal dispute, brought before the U.S. Court of International Trade on May 13, centers on Trump’s April 2 declaration of “Liberation Day,” when he invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) to impose tariffs on many imports.

Five businesses, represented by the Liberty Justice Center, argue that IEPPA does not explicitly grant the president authority to impose tariffs. “That statute doesn’t actually say anything about giving the president the power to tariff,” said Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel at the nonprofit.

The administration, however, points to historical precedent, citing President Richard Nixon’s use of emergency tariffs during the 1971 economic crisis under the 1917 Trading With the Enemy Act, which informed IEPPA’s language.

The lawsuits have brought together an unusual coalition, including states led by Democratic governors and libertarian groups. A dozen states have filed separate suits against the tariffs, with hearings expected in the coming weeks. Kathleen Claussen, a Georgetown Law professor, suggested these cases might ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

Trump’s tariffs have already netted over $16 billion in revenues in April alone, contributing to a budget surplus for that month, and persuaded companies such as Nvidia to bring manufacturing operations inside the U.S.

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May 13, 2025
Immigration
Religion

Texas Blocks Construction of Islamic ‘EPIC City.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the halting of all construction on EPIC City, a planned Islamic settlement near Dallas.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the East Plano Islamic Center, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍 Where & When: Announcement made on Sunday; project located outside Dallas, Texas.

💬 Key Quote: “Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place. The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating.” – Governor Greg Abbott.

⚠️ Impact: Multiple investigations launched into EPIC City, including potential violations of constitutional rights and state laws.

IN FULL:

Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) has announced that all construction on EPIC City, a proposed development near Dallas, Texas, designed exclusively for Muslims, has been halted. Abbott confirmed the decision on Sunday in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating the project is under investigation for potential legal violations.

“Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City,” Abbott stated. “There is no construction taking place. The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating.”

The planned development, centered around the East Plano Islamic Center, had drawn scrutiny for allegedly intending to impose sharia law on its residents and for reportedly planning to exclude non-Muslims from purchasing or renting property. Critics,have raised concerns about potential constitutional violations. Cornyn is currently facing a primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), with the latter leading in early polls.

“A master-planned ‘community of thousands of Muslims’ could violate the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans,” Cornyn noted, adding that such a project could discriminate against non-Muslim minorities. He called for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate whether the development would provide equal protection under the law for all residents.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced his office is examining communications between the East Plano Islamic Center and officials in nearby towns, including Plano, Richardson, and Wylie. Paxton emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “If any local official is supporting or communicating with a real estate development that is under investigation for potential violations of state law, then it’s imperative that we are made aware of exactly what’s being communicated.”

The controversy surrounding EPIC City comes amid broader concerns about similar developments in Texas. Colony Ridge, a massive community near Houston, has faced criticism for allegedly becoming a hub for illegal immigrants and crime. That development is also under investigation by federal and state authorities.

Governor Abbott noted that over a dozen state agencies are involved in investigating EPIC City, particularly whether its reported practices of religious-based housing discrimination would violate Texas law. The investigations remain ongoing.

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May 13, 2025
Corruption

REVEALED: Top Doc Said Biden Was One Fall from a Wheelchair in 2024 Run-Up.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Democrat White House staffers planned for the possibility that former President Joe Biden would need to serve most of his second term confined to a wheelchair. The octogenarian Democrat’s physical decline was so alarming that his doctor warned aides that if he had another fall, Biden would be confined to a wheelchair during a difficult recovery.

👥 Who’s Involved: Former President Joe Biden, Doctor Kevin O’Connor, Doctor Kevin Cannard, Democrat White House aides, and Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper.

📍 Where & When: The medical assessments were made throughout Biden’s presidency from 2021 until 2025, while the revelation of the coverup and Dr. O’Connor’s concerns were made on May 13, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Given Biden’s age, [his physician Kevin O’Connor] also privately said that if he had another bad fall, a wheelchair might be necessary for what could be a difficult recovery,” an excerpt reads from a forthcoming book on the coverup of Biden’s declining health.

⚠️ Impact: The revelation that former President Biden’s doctor and White House aides hid his reduced physical health from the public may trigger an extensive congressional investigation into the actions of the prior government. Additionally, the revelations raise serious challenges as to whether any details of the president’s physical examination by health professionals should be kept confidential from the American public.

IN FULL:

Former President Joe Biden‘s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, warned White House aides that if he had suffered another fall in 2023 or 2024, the octogenarian Democrat would need to be confined to a wheelchair and face an arduous recovery. The revelations on Biden’s physical state are made in a new book authored by Axios’s Alex Thompson and CNN’s Jake Tapper—well after Biden had already left office.

“Given Biden’s age, [his physician Kevin O’Connor] also privately said that if he had another bad fall, a wheelchair might be necessary for what could be a difficult recovery,” an excerpt from the book reads. In a typical media environment, the revelation would mean a grave political scandal, as O’Connor, as late as 2024, had publicly reported that Biden’s physical examination was nominal and gave the Democrat president a clean bill of health. The National Pulse reported on concerns over the accuracy and veracity of O’Connor’s examination of Biden repeatedly in 2024, and on whether the Democrat White House was covering up the president’s cognitive and physical decline.

Concerns over Biden’s physical fragility led to White House staff preparing contingency plans for Biden to run his eventually abandoned 2024 re-election campaign while confined to a wheelchair. Aides also reportedly prepared for Biden to serve his second term while using a wheelchair, had he successfully run and won re-election.

At the end of the Biden presidency, his staff went to great lengths to ensure the octogenarian Democrat did not suffer another catastrophic fall. Public events were carefully choreographed to include instructions taped to the ground directing Biden where to walk, the use of handrails on all stairs and stages at public events, and Biden began wearing special shoes that provided him with a greater degree of balance and stability when walking.

However, Thompson and Tapper’s book notes that White House aides ignored O’Connor and other medical professionals’ advice that Biden should receive more rest and cut back on his public commitments. While the other medical professionals are not yet known and may not be named in the book, at least one was likely Dr. Kevin Cannard, a Parkinson’s and deep brain disorder specialist who visited the White House and Dr. O’Connor numerous times in 2023 and 2024.

The insistence by his aides that Biden maintain a modest workload left O’Connor to quip that the White House staff was trying to kill Biden while he, his doctor, was tasked with keeping him alive.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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