As concerns deepened over former President Joe Biden’s performance and health in 2024, a newly released book details first lady Jill Biden’s expanded political role during his final months on the campaign trail.

The book outlines Mrs. Biden's expanded influence as the then-president’s approval declined, revelations surfaced about internal White House disarray, with the commander in chief ultimately ending his reelection bid, as Fox News reports.

Published Tuesday, 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America was co-authored by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf -- reporters from the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, respectively.

Jill Biden steps in after debate

Jill Biden’s prominence increased following a lackluster debate performance by her husband against Donald Trump.

The event raised new concerns about the president’s cognitive condition, which were amplified over the subsequent year.

According to the book, the president’s age and evident decline became the subject of internal debate, public scrutiny, and formal congressional investigations. The first lady responded by taking a more active role in shaping both policy and public messaging.

She firmly defended her husband at fundraisers, stating he was “the only person for the job,” and urged Democratic Party leaders to maintain support even as donors and officials privately pushed for him to step away from the race.

Camp David, family talks, loyal advisorss

In late June 2024, the Biden family took a long-planned trip to Camp David. The book describes the gathering as an opportunity for the

family to evaluate the political damage from the debate and reset strategy, not as a moment to exit the race.

One of Jill Biden’s closest aides, Anthony Bernal, emerged as a significant behind-the-scenes figure. The longtime adviser has been described as intensely loyal, often speaking publicly in place of Jill Biden and influencing internal decision-making.

Bernal’s growing authority sparked tension within the White House, including a conflict with senior aide Anita Dunn, whom he reportedly accused of undermining the Bidens by promoting greater transparency about the family to the press and staff.

Legal woes, courtroom appearances

Compounding the campaign’s turmoil was Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial, which ran parallel to President Biden’s reelection efforts.

A near-total ban was imposed internally at the White House on discussing the case, according to the book’s authors.

Despite this, Jill Biden attended several days of the trial in support of her son. In one instance, she traveled to France for a D-Day commemoration and returned within 24 hours to Wilmington, Delaware, to be present in court the very next day.

West Wing aides were reportedly surprised by Jill Biden’s insistence on attending the trial, seeing it as a sign of her increasing independence and decision-making power within the orbit of the administration.

Exit and endorsement take shape

As the Democratic Party's anxiety grew, Jill Biden continued to encourage her husband to stay in the race and pushed key figures to support him. The book portrays her as undeterred by growing dissent within party leadership.

In response to the backlash from the debate, President Biden conducted interviews in which he attributed his poor performance to exhaustion and a cold.

Less than a month later, and just a week after an assassination attempt on Trump, Joe Biden suspended his reelection campaign and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic Party nominee.