A former staff member of Joe Biden's 2020 campaign has expressed feeling 'deceived' upon discovering that the ex-president's team was aware of his fatigue and lack of engagement while preparing for a June debate.

Ashley Allison voiced her concerns after an excerpt from a forthcoming book disclosed that former White House chief of staff Ron Klain had characterized Biden as 'fatigued, confused, and disengaged' during debate preparations.

The book reported that Klain was 'taken aback' by Biden's lethargy and noted that he appeared 'out of it.' The debate in question was held in June, and several observers remarked that Biden's performance raised doubts about his suitability for the presidency.

Allison's remarks followed the excerpt, igniting a broader conversation about Biden's ability during the debate preparations.

Some of Biden's supporters, including Ana Navarro, have suggested that while the former president's team might have recognized his exhaustion, they allowed him to go ahead with the debate anyway.

Navarro mentioned that she had conversed with Klain, who asserted that his statements were misinterpreted.

The matter has also attracted attention from Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton, who labeled it a 'cover-up.' The debate performance controversy has prompted renewed examination of Biden's decision to seek reelection, with some contending that he should not have pursued that path.