Current and former Biden aides are worried that the president is surrounded by ashrinking group of “yes” people who block negative information from getting to him.
Why it matters: Biden’s already small inner circle has shrunk further since the June 27 debate that has jeopardized Biden’s re-election campaign.
Those in the tighter inner circle are careful about the tenor of the information they put in front of Biden, and shy away from telling him things that could be hurtful, current and former Biden aides say.
What we’re hearing: In the past week, Biden’s comments expressing doubts about his poor polling numbers have reinforced some aides’ fears that he’s not getting complete information.
- “Too many of his top aides are his friends,” said one former Biden aide.
No one wants to tell the president the hard truth: that his probable path to victory is exceedingly narrow, another former administration official said.
- Some Biden aides say the president is surrounded by such people in part becausehis temper can be unleashed on those who give him bad news.
- Others in Biden’s orbit say he’s become less receptive to criticism as he has aged.