Biden top aide made about $4 million on failed campaign: new book
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Mike Donilon (center) stands behind Biden, next to homeland security aviser Liz Sherwood-Randall in August 2024.
This story is adapted from the new book "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson.
Mike Donilon, a top adviser to former President Biden, was paid about $4 million to work on the 2024 Biden campaign at the president's insistence, CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson write in their new book, "Original Sin."
Why it matters: The sum was orders of magnitude higher than the pay for other top aides — campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon made $300,000 — and illustrates the standing held by Biden's inner-most circle of advisers.
- Many former Biden officials remain bitter at Donilon for making so much money and, in their view, guiding the campaign into disaster.
Behind the scenes: In early 2024, Donilon agreed to shift from the White House to the campaign, but wouldn't budge on his asking price.
- "The president told the campaign: Pay Mike what he wants," the authors report. "Senior campaign staff were outraged when they heard about this arrangement."
Between the lines: Donilon's pay has caused further resentment among many Biden aides toward the former president's inner-circle and their handling of the re-election campaign.
- They argue that Biden's top aides should have had to courage to confront him about the huge risks of running for a second term, and not profited so much from what was ultimately an unsuccessful campaign.
- Some former Biden aides are quietly trying to separate themselves from the Biden re-election effort.
What they're saying: A Biden spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
- Donilon has rejected the notion that Biden's acuity and judgment declined during his tenure, calling it an "impression" fueled by the media.
The book is based on interviews with more than 200 people, mostly Democratic insiders, with knowledge of the events that unfolded during the final two years of Biden's presidency. Almost all of the interviews took place after the 2024 election.
Go deeper: Exclusive: Biden aides discussed wheelchair use if he were re-elected, new book says
