California Governor Gavin Newsom accused of accidentally letting secret slip about Joe Biden's cognitive decline

By ALYSSA GUZMAN, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:53, 4 April 2026 | Updated: 14:56, 4 April 2026 California Governor Gavin Newsom has been accused of admitting that former President Joe Biden suffered a severe cognitive decline while in office.  On Thursday, the liberal's press office took to X to post photos of prominent Democratic figures, including Biden, Barack Obama, and Kamala Harris.  Alongside the photo of Biden, it read: 'RT [retweet] if you miss having a President with empathy.'  Alongside the photo of Obama, it read: 'RT if you miss having a President with a functioning brain.'  X users were quick to wonder if the striking contrast was deliberate, and if it hinted that Newsom, who was a close confidante to Biden, was admitting the 83-year-old did not have the capacity of Obama.  'The implication here is so funny I can't even think of a joke,' one wrote.  'They knew what they were doing. Lmao,' another wrote.  Another posted a reply in the same style as the press team did with a photo of Newsom.  Gavin Newsom is receiving heat after his press office posted photos of prominent Democrats and giving them superlatives  His press office said Barack Obama has a 'functioning brain,' while Joe Biden had 'empathy' The caption read: 'If you want someone that has neither and supports fraud.'  A GOP account replied with a screenshot of an earlier tweet from Newsom's press office showing Biden on a bike with the caption: 'Happy birthday, President @JoeBiden! We miss having a president who has physical stamina - and a functioning brain.'  Newsom's office replied: 'Yes. Thank you for reposting some of our best tweets?'   The Daily Mail has contacted Newsom's office for comment.  It is unclear if Newsom meant the implication. He also posted Harris, writing: 'RT if you miss having a Vice President who was respected around the world.'  He also called former President George W. Bush the 'smartest Republican President of the new millennium,' seemingly taking a swipe at conservative President Donald Trump.  There was plenty of chatter during Biden's presidency about his cognitive health as he was often seen tripping up the steps of Air Force One and suffering multiple senior moments on stage. Infamously, Biden repeatedly lost his train of thought during a June 2024 debate with Donald Trump, with that shocking televised appearance ultimately ending his reelection campaign.   Rumors flew even more after Biden's doctor refused to run a cognitive test on him, an October 2025 Congressional report found. Biden was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in May 2025 and continues to receive treatment.  Many were quick to wonder if Newsom was confirming that Biden was experiencing cognitive decline - a constant question during his presidency  During the 2024 election cycle, Trump demanded Biden undergo a test.  The Republican has claimed to have no cognitive decline, even saying this year that he was the 'only president that ever took a cognitive test.'  'I took it three times. It’s actually a very hard test for a lot of people. It wasn’t hard for me,' he said.  Trump had taken the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is a mild cognitive test that takes 10 to 15 minutes.  In more recent months, Trump has drawn many questions regarding the bruising on his hand and the rash on his neck.  Last month, the skin behind his right ear appeared scabbed and flaking and visible to cameras as he attended a White House veterans event.  His doctor said it was a 'preventative skin treatment' and the redness would last a few weeks.  The President, 79, has come under increasing scrutiny after he revealed last year that he easily bruises and bleeds, with photos often showing a blob of makeup covering the back of his hands.  Newsom's office also posted about Kamala Harris and George W. Bush  Biden's health was questioned after he was seen tripping up stairs and appearing confused on stage throughout his presidency  Newsom and Biden are close confidantes and have attended several things together  President Donald Trump's health has also been questioned, as he appears to have bruising on his hand often  Trump attributes bruising and cuts to a high aspirin dose and the relentless handshaking that comes with the job. He was diagnosed last summer with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition caused by damaged leg veins that impairs blood flow back to the heart and can produce swelling in the legs and ankles. Trump has also faced questions about his energy levels after he was spotted with his eyes closed during meetings. 'They're boring as hell,' Trump told New York magazine in January. 'I'm going around a room, and I've got 28 guys − the last one was three and a half hours,' Trump said of his cabinet meetings. 'I have to sit back and listen, and I move my hand so that people will know I'm listening. I'm hearing every word, and I can't wait to get out.' Some aides say they have to raise their voices in meetings, citing his declining hearing. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. 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