Staff Reports
Senior White House advisors have been diligently managing Joe Biden’s schedule and public appearances for the past year to shield the public from any glaring signs of aging in the oldest president in U.S. history. Biden, at the ripe old age of 81, has faced mounting concerns about his endurance, leading to his aides nixing plans for nationwide trips. These concerns have only grown as his numerous public gaffes continue to grab attention, despite reassurances from his inner circle about his health.
The pinnacle of these worries was reached during a 90-minute debate in June where Biden noticeably struggled, leaving even his own staff and party members astounded. In the aftermath, Biden reached out to around 20 lawmakers, although notably avoiding direct meetings with Republican leaders. Instead, his team opted for discussions with senior aides, bypassing any potential face-to-face confrontations.
NEW: Biden Skipped Critical Meeting With World Leader For Early Bedtime https://t.co/tvM5qDgnIE
— Celeste Wilson (@CelesteLFAP) July 10, 2024
As Biden’s presidency trundles along, his interactions with lawmakers have dwindled, evident from visitor logs and public appearances. Notably, at the G7 summit, Biden’s fatigue tendencies were accommodated by the German officials who organized an early evening event with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The rendezvous, aimed at discussing Ukraine, had a surprise absence from Biden, who chose to retire for the night, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken filling in.
Contrary to reports about Biden’s bedtime, a State Department spokesperson denied Blinken making any such remark, painting a different picture of Biden’s involvement during the summit. Despite managing international and domestic affairs, including ending summit days at 10 p.m. due to perceived exhaustion exacerbated by the lack of air conditioning, claims of Biden’s underperformance raised eyebrows in Washington, quickly rebutted by the White House as mere partisan attacks.
Reports of Biden’s fading sparks in meetings have further fueled concerns about his cognitive abilities. In a meeting regarding Ukraine funding, Biden’s meek delivery left attendees straining to catch his words, hinting at potential disengagement. A separate meeting saw Biden reducing significant policy shifts to a mere “study,” prompting worries about his grasp of administration policies.
The presidential debate with Donald Trump provided a stark spotlight on Biden’s struggles, further fueling questions about his fitness for office.
