Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Court Allows Release of Biden's Ghostwriter Interview Recordings
A court has decided to release recordings of interviews that former President Joe Biden gave to his ghostwriter for his memoirs.
The interviews were done in 2016 and 2017 at Biden's home.
The court said that the public has a right to see these recordings, even though Biden wanted to keep them private.
The recordings are part of an investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents.
Biden's spokesperson said that the recordings are private and that the current administration is using the Department of Justice for political reasons.
Biden has until August 3 to try to stop the release of the recordings.
A US federal appeals court has rejected Joe Biden's request to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of interviews he gave to his memoir ghostwriter.
The court ruled that the public interest in disclosure outweighs Biden's remaining privacy concerns.
The recordings stem from interviews Biden gave in 2016 and 2017 to author Mark Zwonitzer for his memoirs Promises to Keep and Promise Me, Dad.
Judge Florence Pan dissented, arguing that Biden had a significant privacy interest in keeping the recordings confidential.
Biden's spokesperson criticized the ruling, accusing the current administration of weaponizing the Department of Justice for political retribution.
- Who
- Former President Joe Biden, US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Judge Florence Pan, TJ Ducklo, Robert Hur
- What
- Release of audio recordings and transcripts of interviews Biden gave to his memoir ghostwriter
- When
- Late Monday, with a deadline for further review by August 3
- Where
- US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Why
- The public interest in disclosure outweighs Biden's remaining privacy concerns, as the redactions protect his privacy while allowing access to material linked to a high-profile federal investigation.
Public Interest in Disclosure
Biden's Privacy Concerns
Public Interest vs. Privacy
Public Interest in Disclosure
The public interest in disclosure outweighs Biden's remaining privacy concerns, as the redactions protect his privacy while allowing access to material linked to a high-profile federal investigation.
Biden's Privacy Concerns
Biden has a significant privacy interest in keeping the recordings confidential, as the conversations took place in his home and were obtained by the government during a criminal investigation that did not lead to an indictment.
- Date of Decision
- Late Monday
- Court
- US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Recordings Date
- 2016 and 2017
- Author
- Mark Zwonitzer
- Memoirs
- Promises to Keep and Promise Me, Dad
- Special Counsel
- Robert Hur
- Investigation
- Biden's handling of classified documents
- Deadline for Further Review
- August 3