Amid growing concerns over US President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, current and former aides express unease about the president's increasingly insular inner circle. 

Axios reports indicate that Biden is surrounded by a shrinking group of "yes people who block negative information from getting to him.”

Recent remarks by Biden expressing doubts about his poor polling numbers have heightened fears among aides that he is not receiving complete information. 

Former aides describe the dynamic as akin to adult children vying for their father's approval, with some urging advisors like Donilon to confront Biden with the hard truth about his re-election challenges.

- Why it matters -

Democrats within and outside the White House worry that the president is not receiving a comprehensive view of his and his party's precarious political situation. 

This perceived isolation has intensified as members of Congress report difficulties in communicating with Biden.

In response to these concerns, the White House initiated increased outreach efforts, including Zoom sessions with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Asian-Pacific American Caucus. 

Despite these efforts, some participants felt the conversations were controlled and questions stifled.

Biden now leans heavily on longtime advisors Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, and Bruce Reed, colloquially known within the administration as "the poobahs," "the grey hairs," or "the triumvirate." 

These advisors, valued for their loyalty, are seen as extensions of Biden’s family, with the inner circle also including First Lady Jill Biden's top aide Anthony Bernal, and deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini.

This close-knit group, characterized by loyalty, has led to a climate where aides are reluctant to present Biden with inconvenient facts. 

The influence of Bernal, perceived as the "loyalty police," exacerbates this dynamic, making aides wary of being labeled disloyal.

- Impact on decision-making -

Critics argue that the "poobahs" often avoid conflict with the president, enabling his sometimes-meandering decision process. 

Ricchetti and Donilon are more involved in politics, while Reed focuses on policy. However, none are known for delivering bad news, which some see as a significant drawback.

While some aides believe this dynamic reflects the inner circle's affection for Biden, they acknowledge it can have negative consequences. 

Skepticism about Ricchetti’s political instincts and organizational skills remains, especially given his exclusion from the chief of staff role after Ron Klain’s departure.

Not all in Biden’s orbit agree on the extent of the core group’s influence. Some advisors argue that the inner circle's role is overstated and insist that Biden's closest aides do deliver bad news when necessary. 

They cite regular strategy meetings and coordinated outreach efforts as evidence of a comprehensive advisory process.