In a recent development, President Joe Biden has been seen altering his walking routine to Marine One, now often accompanied by aides.
This change is reportedly an attempt to deflect concerns about his age, as per Axios.
Several aides to the President have voiced concerns that Biden's solitary walks to Marine One on the South Lawn spotlight his age. The 81-year-old President has been under scrutiny for his "halting and stiff gait," sources informed Axios. To mitigate the impact of "videos of Biden walking and shuffling alone," the President is now frequently escorted by aides. This change was suggested after Biden expressed a desire for a less formal solution, a White House official disclosed to Axios.
In March, Biden was seen walking to and from Marine One and the White House five times, either alone or accompanied by family members, as reported by Axios. However, since April 16, the President has been escorted by aides or other lawmakers nine out of ten times he has made the walk, as per Axios's count.
Following this modification in the President's routine, advisers anticipate that aides will continue to accompany Biden, believing that the images of the President walking have improved his public image.
Concerns about Biden's age were heightened following special counsel Robert Hur's report on Biden's handling of classified documents. Although Hur decided against pursuing charges against Biden, he suggested that a potential jury might view Biden as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."
Biden's fitness for office has recently been questioned due to several gaffes. During a visit to a Pennsylvania war memorial, Biden recounted a story about his uncle, Second Lt. Ambrose J. Finnegan Jr., claiming that he was shot down during World War II over "New Guinea" and was never found or heard from again due to the prevalence of "cannibals" in the area. However, the President's account does not align with the military's official record of the incident.
Another instance that drew attention was when the President appeared to read a stage direction off the teleprompter during a speech at North America's Building Trade Union National Legislative Conference.
While discussing his economic accomplishments, Biden said, "Folks, imagine what we could do next." He then continued, "Four more years Pause," prompting the crowd to start chanting.
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