President Biden has been the subject of recent scrutiny over videos showing allies, family members, and even a foreign leader guiding him offstage or during public events. A video from a campaign donor event in Los Angeles captured former President Obama leading Biden offstage, sparking online criticism about Biden's cognitive state.
The incident occurred at a fundraiser attended by Hollywood stars, where Obama guided Biden offstage after a conversation with Jimmy Kimmel. This comes amid growing concerns about the 81-year-old president's mental acuity, with videos showing instances of others directing him during public appearances.
During a recent trip to Italy for the G-7 summit, a video showed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni redirecting Biden back to a group of world leaders after he briefly stepped away. The White House has dismissed concerns raised by these videos as disinformation spread by right-wing critics.
Further fueling the debate on Biden's mental fitness are incidents like the first lady guiding him offstage during a Women's History Month reception and a video from the White House's Juneteenth celebration where Biden stood relatively still until Philonise Floyd engaged with him.
Despite the White House's attempts to downplay these incidents as routine moments for any president, the scrutiny on Biden's cognitive state persists. Videos from various events, including a Christmas season Toys for Tots event and a press conference, have raised questions about Biden's ability to navigate public appearances without assistance.
A recent report detailing interviews with lawmakers and administration officials highlighted concerns about Biden's age showing in meetings. The White House has pushed back against these claims, attributing them to partisan politics aimed at undermining the president's effectiveness.
