Joe Biden’s memory was significantly limited during recorded interviews with ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer in 2017, according to Special Counsel Robert Hur.
The 2017 Audio Recordings and Memory Findings
Special Counsel Robert Hur investigated Joe Biden’s handling of classified materials in 2024. Hur’s report states that the conversations were “pinlig langsomme” (embarrassingly slow), noting that Biden struggled to remember events and frequently labored to read and recount his own notebook entries. According to Hur’s written findings cited by Fox News, Biden’s memory limitations appeared consistently during both the 2017 ghostwriter sessions and an interview with the special counsel’s office in 2023.
Classified Documents and Specific Slips
Recorded in February 2017—just one month after his term as vice president ended—Biden is heard discussing classified files in his basement. According to the BBC, Biden remarks on the recording, “I just found all the classified stuff downstairs.” Separate audio excerpts published by Fox News show Biden struggling to recount a memorial service for a fallen soldier. On the tape, Biden says, “I think I went to that memorial service in Wilmington. It says [censored] on December 4th, but I—I know what it means. Memorial—[censored] really messes it up with names. So it says memorial for [censored]. I don’t think her name was [censored]. Or else I forgot [censored].”
Did you know? The audio recordings total two hours and forty-five minutes and were captured by ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer at Biden’s home between 2016 and 2017.
Political Fallout and Reactions
Jeff Clark, litigation vice chairman at the Oversight Project—an organization that campaigned to make the recordings public—told Fox News that "Joe Biden certainly did not want these tapes out," adding that there is "absolutely no joy in the Biden camp today." Biden has not personally commented on the newly surfaced recordings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the audio recordings made?
The recordings were made between 2016 and 2017, with specific segments—including remarks about classified materials—recorded in February 2017 at Joe Biden’s home.
Who recorded the conversations?
The conversations were recorded by ghostwriter Mark Zwonitzer during work on a book project.
Did Special Counsel Robert Hur file criminal charges?
No, Special Counsel Robert Hur did not bring criminal charges against Joe Biden regarding the handling of classified documents, though he recommended releasing the tapes.
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