A longtime ally of President Joe Biden, Michael Donilon, recently testified before the House Oversight Committee, revealing that he could have potentially earned up to $8 million linked to Biden’s re-election bid in 2024. Donilon, who served as a senior advisor throughout Biden’s presidency and has a professional relationship with him dating back to 1981, provided insights into Biden’s inner circle amid the committee’s investigation. The focus lies on allegations regarding attempts to cover up evidence of Biden’s mental decline and questions surrounding the use of autopen for signing executive actions without Biden’s full knowledge.
During his testimony, Donilon reported that he had already received $4 million for his work on Biden’s 2024 campaign and would have earned an additional sum had Biden won the election. His compensation was brought to light in the book “Original Sin” by Axios reporter Alex Thompson and CNN’s Jake Tapper. The conversation also touched on Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race due to a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, which sparked growing concerns among Democrats and pundits.
Donilon expressed a belief that the reactions from pundits and Democratic lawmakers were exaggerated following Biden’s debate performance. Despite acknowledging that Biden’s public presence had diminished and that he occasionally stumbled over words, Donilon defended Biden’s communication skills, suggesting they had improved over time. He noted the challenge of navigating public perceptions of the President amidst scrutiny over his demeanor.
In his opening remarks, which were obtained by Fox News Digital, Donilon reaffirmed his longstanding relationship with Biden and highlighted the administration’s achievements, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts, including the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. He contended that the pressures of the presidency had fostered growth in Biden as a leader, emphasizing the value of experience in leadership roles.
Donilon’s appearance marks him as the eighth former official from Biden’s White House to testify in this inquiry led by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky. The investigation has faced criticism from some within the Biden camp, who label it as a politically motivated effort to undermine the President by sowing doubts about his competence and leadership abilities.
A source familiar with the Biden administration’s perspective criticized the probe as a “dangerous” endeavor aimed at smearing both Biden and his allies. This source suggested that the investigation’s aim may be to find even trivial inconsistencies among witnesses to provoke legal action driven by political motivations. As the inquiry continues, questions linger regarding the impacts of Donilon’s testimony on public perceptions of Biden’s capabilities and the overall dynamics within American politics.
