Joe Biden appeared completely absent at the end of his first campaign speech of 2024 on Friday evening.
The 81-year-old president had just finished speaking at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where George Washington organized an army to fight the British in 1777.
Biden had just finished his remarks when he turned to leave the stage, but his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, rushed toward him and took his hand.
As she approached her husband, she appeared to whisper something in his ear, but deftly managed to avoid the gaze of the television cameras that were recording the awkward moment.
Dr. Jill then tried to lead her husband off the stage, but he suddenly turned to the crowd and began speaking again, drowning out the exit music that was already playing over the speakers.
Biden finished his speech on Friday evening and remained at the podium, seemingly dazed
Biden continued to remain at the podium as Jill Biden ran to escort him off the stage
Joe Biden, 81, appeared distraught at the end of his first campaign speech of 2024 on Friday evening in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, as his wife rushed to escort him off the stage
After he finished his speech, Biden turned to leave the stage but was intercepted by his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, who rushed toward him and whispered something in his ear
Joe Biden appeared lost for a moment as his wife Jill tried to walk one way while her husband looked the other
Jill stood alone at the podium while the president looked for a way out
Jill Biden tried to drag her husband off the stage, but Biden continued talking even though music played as he exited
Finally, the two left the stage, with Jill leading her husband by the hand
“I understand power!” Biden said. “Thank you all so much…” he said before the music drowned him out.
It was Biden's first public event since his Caribbean vacation.
Biden, who was the oldest president in American history when he took office in 2021, faces doubts from experts and polls about whether he is still fit to lead.
The Democrat's age has become an issue as he seeks re-election in November, as his administration employs a “bubble wrap” strategy to keep him from falling apart in public.
The president has repeatedly been questioned about his suitability for the office. Polls and pundits claimed this was a major problem with just under 11 months left until the 2024 elections.
Some of his co-workers still believe he needs to be protected and have devised a new strategy to prevent him from falling or getting lost on stage, as he has done several times.
President Joe Biden is helped back to his feet after falling during graduation ceremonies at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado in June. He fell while presenting diplomas to the cadets
The commander-in-chief stumbled, landed on the ground and was grabbed by his arms by cadets and Secret Service officers as he handed out diplomas in Colorado
“He’s doing well,” Ben LaBolt, White House communications director, tweeted afterwards. “While he was shaking his hand, there was a sandbag (pictured on the left) on the stage.”
Some described it as like wrapping the president in bubble wrap until November 2024 to ensure he doesn't trip or fall in public again, as he did at the opening of the Air Force Academy in June.
Other current and former government officials vehemently disagree and urged him to campaign to “show his drive” and “bragging about his age rather than ignoring it.”
Veteran Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg is in the latter camp and says Biden should play even tougher on his age and experience.
“He was successful because of his age, not in spite of it,” Rosenberg said.
“We all have to support that because it’s true.” We can’t run away from the age issue.
“It will be an important part of the conversation, but we would be making a political mistake if we don’t contest it more aggressively.”
But John B. Judis, a longtime political strategist and author, said Biden's age has made him seem less presidential.
In June 2022, Biden fell off his bike while riding near his beach house in Delaware and then hopped around to prove he was not injured in the accident
After about 10 seconds on the concrete, Biden managed to stand up with the help of his security detail – drawing applause from onlookers
In March 2021, he was caught stumbling up the stairs while boarding Air Force One
“He doesn’t look or speak the part,” Judis said. “He is neither a commanding nor charming presence on the presidential or presidential campaign stage.”
Judis praised many of Biden's legislative achievements, including infrastructure and combating climate change, but said his “public performance” has been poor.
“I think that many voters, particularly young people, who are not at all put off by his political positions or achievements, are put off by his complete failure as a royal figure,” Judis said.
“And I don’t know how to fix this. Not by bike. “Biden’s biggest hope in this regard is voters’ perception that Trump is a bad or even evil father who wants to destroy the family.”
The dismay over Biden's age comes from the fact that poll numbers for the president have never been so bad.
An angry Joe Biden called Donald Trump “sick” and a “loser” in his first campaign speech of 2024 and said on January 6, “We almost lost America.”
The 81-year-old president launched a furious attack on his predecessor and potential rival in the 2024 general election at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where George Washington organized an army to fight the British in 1777
In a head-to-head duel, Biden saw a two-point lead turn into a three-point deficit
During his speech, Biden said that “democracy is on the ballot” as states across the country launch bids to rein in Trump.
An angry Biden called Donald Trump “sick” and a “loser” on January 6 and said “we almost lost America.”
The president launched a furious attack on his predecessor and likely rival in the 2024 general election.
Biden condemned the Republican front-runner for his “lies” and for portraying “himself” in his White House campaign's remarks on the third anniversary of the Capitol insurrection.
He said Trump invoked Nazi Germany when he called his enemies “vermin” and compared him to a dictator who could destroy the United States if re-elected in November.