The Wall Street Journal made a startling revelation on Thursday, confirming what many had suspected for years: President Joe Biden’s mental decline has been a well-kept secret, and his aides worked to shield the public from his deteriorating condition. The bombshell report sheds light on Biden’s cognitive struggles, particularly during the chaotic and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

According to the Journal, Biden was so mentally fatigued that he missed critical calls, including one from Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the chair of the House Armed Services Committee. Smith had concerns about the withdrawal plans and sought to discuss them with the president. However, Biden’s aides intervened, and he failed to take the call, which would later prove to be a pivotal moment in the botched operation.

The withdrawal, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, many more wounded, and 170 Afghans, was marked by confusion and mistakes. Biden’s inaccessibility during this crisis and his subsequent lack of action have been widely criticized. Furthermore, the U.S. left behind billions of dollars worth of military equipment, including weapons and aircraft, which were quickly seized by the Taliban.

The report also highlights Biden’s increasing isolation from lawmakers and his apparent difficulty in managing key decisions. As the oldest president in U.S. history, Biden’s mental and physical decline has become a growing concern among both political allies and the American public. The Wall Street Journal’s report serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of a leader unable to meet the demands of the office.