Biden Interview Audio Fuels Market, Political Fallout

The release of audio from President Joe Biden's 2023 interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur has intensified concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities, with the tapes showing memory lapses and confusion about key personal and political events. Axios published the audio after it was previously withheld, prompting criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats and fueling broader claims of a cover-up by White House aides and the media. The tapes corroborate Hur's portrayal of Biden as 'well-meaning' but suffering from poor memory, sparking renewed debate about his fitness for office. Republicans have linked the controversy to other criticisms, such as Biden's use of an autopen for pardons. The audio leak also caused short-term uncertainty in financial markets, leading to a slight decline in major stock indices and cryptocurrencies. The episode has heightened debate over transparency, media responsibility, and the Democratic Party's future direction.