full

full
Published on:

21st May 2025

The Truth We Don't Tell

Takeaways:

  • In the world of politics, honesty is often a rare commodity, and this episode dives deep into that truth.
  • We explored how even historical figures like FDR and JFK hid their health issues from the public eye.
  • The revelation of Biden's health concerns isn't shocking, given the trend of political dishonesty we've seen.
  • Did you know Woodrow Wilson's wife was basically running the show after his stroke? Talk about power dynamics!
  • It's a wild ride when you consider how politicians manage their image, especially during election seasons.
  • We wrapped up with a thought-provoking question: if they won't tell us the truth, why should we trust them?

Links referenced in this episode:

Joe Biden isn’t the first president to lie about his health.


Franklin D. Roosevelt hid his paralysis. John F. Kennedy ran on pain meds and adrenaline. Grover Cleveland had secret jaw surgery. Woodrow Wilson’s wife ran the country after his stroke.


And toward the end, Ronald Reagan looked a lot like Biden. He had good days and bad, struggling with cognitive decline inside the White House.


That’s the tradition. Politicians tell the truth when it suits them.


So when news broke that Biden has advanced cancer, I wasn’t shocked. And I wasn’t surprised we’re only learning about it now.


The Biden administration was many things. Honest wasn’t one of them.


For years, handlers and allies hid Biden’s cognitive decline. They lied until they couldn’t. Even hours before the debate with President Trump, when the world saw it live.


And with a track record like that, is it really a leap to think they’d hide something else?


So here’s my question.


If politicians won’t trust us with the truth, why should we trust them?


Let me know in the comments. Support my work at jamesbrowntv.substack.com.


On that note, I’m James Brown. And as always, be well.



This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Transcript
Speaker A:

The truth we don't tell.

Speaker A:

This is commentary from James Brown.

Speaker A:

Joe Biden isn't the first president to lie about his health.

Speaker A:

FDR hit his paralysis.

Speaker A:

JFK ran on pain meds and adrenaline in Glover.

Speaker A:

Cleveland.

Speaker A:

Well, he had secret jaw surgery.

Speaker A:

Let's not leave out Woodrow Wilson, whose wife ran the country after his stroke.

Speaker A:

And toward the end, Ronald Reagan looked a lot like Biden, with good days and bad, struggling with cognitive decline in the White House.

Speaker A:

That's the tradition, politicians telling the truth when it suits them.

Speaker A:

So when news broke that Biden had advanced cancer, I was not shocked.

Speaker A:

And I wasn't surprised that we're only learning about it now because the Biden administration was many things, and honest isn't one of them.

Speaker A:

For years, handlers and allies hid Biden's cognitive decline.

Speaker A:

They lied about it until they couldn't even hours before the debate with President Trump.

Speaker A:

When the world saw it live, and with a track record like that, is it really a leap to think that they'd hide something else?

Speaker A:

So here's my if politicians won't trust us with the truth, why should we trust them at all?

Speaker A:

Let me know in the comments and support my work@jamesbrowntv.substack.com on that note, I'm James Brown and as always, be well.

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Daily Note with James A. Brown

About the Podcast

The Daily Note with James A. Brown
Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. 5 days a week, 90 seconds a day, on-air and online from sea to shining sea.
The Daily Note is a daily commentary podcast that finds deeper meaning in everyday moments. Host James A. Brown explores how our world really works through thoughtful observation and authentic storytelling.

Each short-form episode starts with something specific James noticed while walking downtown, a conversation overheard in a coffee shop, or a small detail that revealed something larger about modern life. These aren't political hot takes or partisan commentary. The Daily Note offers genuine reflection and systems thinking for busy professionals.
This daily podcast serves listeners who want intelligent analysis without the noise. Perfect for commuters, coffee breaks, and anyone seeking thoughtful perspective on current events, workplace dynamics, and American culture.

The Daily Note delivers smart commentary, personal storytelling, and practical insights in bite-sized episodes that respect your time and intelligence. New episodes Monday through Friday.

Commentary for people who want to understand their world better, not feel better about what they already believe.

To support my work and tell me what you think join me at JamesABrown.net.
Or email me at comments@jamesabrown.net.

About your host

Profile picture for james brown

james brown