Brace yourselves—newly surfaced note cards from the Biden administration have cracked open a window into the extensive backstage support the former president relied on during public moments.

These compact “palm cards,” acquired by Fox News Digital, held names, photos, and key details of notable figures and journalists, sparking renewed debate over Biden’s dependence on staff amid persistent questions about his mental clarity.

While such cards are a standard tool for politicians, four of the five unearthed bore a “PRESIDENT HAS SEEN” stamp, hinting they were prepped and reviewed for specific events.

Uncovering the Details on Biden’s Cards

One card spotlighted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, alongside other Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees like Denzel Washington and chef José Andrés, recognized at the close of Biden’s tenure.

Another, linked to a speech on judicial confirmations, featured Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who stood with Biden to mark 235 judicial nominees confirmed in January.

A third card noted family members of Francis Ford Coppola for the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2024, while a fourth listed White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s family for a January 18 greeting—though Pritzker’s presence that day remains unconfirmed.

Press Events and Prepared Exchanges

The fifth card anticipated a question from ABC News reporter Mary Bruce about Biden’s reelection and public concerns over his age, posed during an April 26, 2023, press event with the South Korean president.

During that moment, Biden referred to a card, stating, “I think the next question is Mary Bruce, ABC,” which raises an eyebrow—less spontaneity, more screenplay?

Bruce challenged him on public skepticism about his age, asking if he thought he alone could best Trump again, leaving critics to muse if the card had a comeback for that.

Recurring Reliance on Scripted Support

This wasn’t an isolated case—during Biden’s first formal press conference in March 2021, he was seen glancing at a card packed with talking points and figures, signaling early dependence on aides.

Fast forward to October 2023, at a joint press event with Australia’s prime minister, images showed Biden using cards with reporter names and outlets, a habit that’s routine but glaring under scrutiny.

Past reports from Fox News Digital also highlighted Biden’s use of preselected journalist lists with photos, a pattern hard to overlook when paired with 2024 donor worries about his cognitive health noted by Axios.

Contrasting Approaches and Sharp Critiques

The White House countered by noting Donald Trump often fields unscripted queries, with spokeswoman Taylor Rogers asserting Trump offers “unfettered access” to media without pre-screened questions.

Yet, a senior press official told Fox News their team doesn’t craft reporter cards or solicit pre-submitted questions, which begs the question—whose hand is guiding the narrative, or even the autopen, given separate concerns over automated document signings?

While Biden’s camp stays mum—Fox News Digital received no immediate reply to inquiries—these revelations feed a narrative of over-reliance, leaving conservatives to wonder if leadership can thrive on cue cards alone.