Biden's aides concerned over his refusal to acknowledge old age and slowdown, Internet concurs

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden, 81, is reportedly refusing to acknowledge his age, despite concerns from frirst lady Jill Biden, and other aides, who are urging him to rest more.

According to a report by Axios, Biden often tells his staff that he feels much younger than his age, a statement that is met with skepticism from some of his aides, who believe that he may not fully understand how his age is perceived by others.

This could be challenging for Biden as he seeks re-election in the coming year, as polls suggest that a majority of Americans are concerned about his physical and mental health.

Should he win a second term come 2024, Biden would be 86 years old at its completion.

What does President Joe Biden’s aides say about age not being on his side?

Biden’s current and former aides are concerned that the president is advocating for more travel and events than they believe are necessary.

In the 2020 presidential election, most of the campaigning was conducted via Zoom, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, this is unlikely to be the case in 2024, as the demands of the pre-election schedule will necessitate that Biden is on the road, traveling the country to appeal to the diverse American electorate.

The president frequently makes light-hearted remarks about his age, such as the photograph he shared on his most recent birthday, in which he is seen smiling in front of a flaming birthday cake.

However, he is also quick to respond defensively when questioned about his physical and mental fitness to serve as the leader of the free world.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates told the outlet, “Since he first ran for Senate, President Biden has always been a hard worker who is eager to do more than any schedule could accommodate.”

The management of the president's daily activities is being handled by the the first lady and her team, as reported by Axios.

She has been actively involved in ensuring that he receives enough rest and has been known to keep a watchful eye on him, even overseeing his arrival from trips, as seen on the Truman Balcony of the White House.

Jill Biden is also focused on promoting healthy eating habits for her husband, including encouraging him to consume more fish and vegetables.

During a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June, she humorously remarked that the vegan meal served was excellent because "Joe ate it."

Furthermore, the first lady has been reassuring donors that the president's work ethic remains unimpeded, and he remains dedicated to his duties.

At fundraising events in Minnesota and Tennessee in June 2023, where supporters contributed millions of dollars to Biden's re-election campaign, the first lady declared, "Nothing can slow him down and now he's ready to finish the job."

Questions surrounding President Biden’s age persist

The president has been under scrutiny over his physical and mental fitness to hold the highest office in the country.

Despite receiving a clearance of health from his physician, poll results indicate that a significant percentage of Americans are skeptical about his age, unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, who is only three years younger.

According to a survey conducted in August 2021 by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 77% of respondents believed that Biden is too old to be effective for another four years, with 89% of Republicans and 69% of Democrats sharing this view.

The poll described the president as "old" and "confused," with only around half of American adults stating that Trump is too old for the office.

Despite the poll results, the president and his team have taken to using his age as a positive attribute, referring to him as the most experienced person to ever occupy the Oval Office.

Biden said during a trip to Ireland in the summer, “The only thing I bring to this career after my age — as you can see how old I am — but is a little bit of wisdom. I come to the job with more experience than any president in American history. It doesn't make me better or worse, but it gives me few excuses."

Biden told MSNBC in May, “I have acquired a hell of a lot of wisdom and know more than the vast majority of people.”

Biden has been observed practicing balancing exercises, wearing sneakers, and using shorter stairs while boarding Air Force One in an effort to prevent any mishaps or falls.

Over the course of his nearly three years in office, the President has experienced several falls and stumbles, including tripping on stairs, falling while boarding Air Force One, and taking a tumble at the Air Force Academy.

In September of this year, Axios also reported that President Biden's team is taking extra precautions to avoid any such incidents in public.

The president has been noted for his stiff gait while walking, and his personal physician, Dr Kevin O'Connor, has identified his condition to be a ‘stiffened ambulatory gait.’

Following a foot fracture during the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden received a recommendation for physical therapy, including ‘proprioceptive maintenance maneuvers’ and shoe orthotics to aid in his walking.

Proprioception training involves exercises that focus on the sense of body positioning in space and can include tai chi, balancing exercises, and yoga.

Biden has been working with Drew Contreras, a former physical therapist in the Army who previously worked with former President Barack Obama, to practice these exercises in the White House gym during his morning workouts.

Internet reiterates that Biden is getting on a bit when it comes to his age

It’s always terribly hard for people on X to agree on one thing but when it comes to President Joe Biden’s age, the overwhelming response remains what’s been evident through polls, that he is “too old” for office.

One X user stated, “He needs to step down. He’s way beyond retirement age. There are reasons why FDA enforces mandatory retirement at 65 for commercial pilots. Politicians should have a mandatory retirement age as well."

Another user said, "The 'health concern' exit strategy is in full swing. Biden's LBJ '68 moment is just months away."

Another user wrote, "So in other words, he physically can’t do the job."

One user tweeted, "Translation: Biden's too old to do the job."

Another X user asked, "How much travel and how many events should he be doing, at his age?"

Finally, this user said, "This is concerning. So it appears he doesn't have self-awareness or the skills to time manage and delegate to avoid burnout. These are essential traits for an effective leader. But I wonder if the volatile nature of the world today forces him to think he should be doing all this."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.