'Walks just fine': Internet divided as Biden aides surround him during Marine One walks to hide stiff gait

WASHINGTON, DC: Joe Biden's aides have expressed concern about the POTUS's image going out into the public, particularly his shuffling gait and solo walk to Marine One, which they fear could make him look even older.

To counter these concerns, President Biden himself suggested that his aides start accompanying him on his walk from the White House to the presidential helicopter, and assist him during his public appearances.

His aides believe that by walking in between the 81-year-old Commander-in-Chief and the journalists' cameras, they can draw less attention to his halting and stiff walk, according to a report by Axios.

The Democrat incumbent is seeking a second term in the upcoming November general election this year, but some voters have voiced their concerns surrounding Biden’s age and physical health.

A recent NBC poll found that many voters are worried that he “may not have the necessary mental and physical health to be president for a second term.”

What did Joe Biden’s White House aides say regarding countermeasure?

Per DailyMail, a White House aide told them, “Weeks ago the President mentioned to aides that he'd prefer a less formal approach and said they should just walk with him.”

Since mid-April, President Joe Biden has been accompanied by his deputy Chiefs of Staff, Annie Tomasini and Bruce Reed, top adviser Mike Donilon, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, as he boarded Marine One.

In March, President Biden used to walk to and from Marine One at the White House by himself or with family members.

However, starting from April 16, Biden was joined by his staff or lawmakers as he walked to and from Marine One.

The White House has tried to address concerns about President Joe Biden's age by emphasizing that he is the most experienced person to hold the office.

However, voters continue to worry about his age in a way that they don't about his political adversary, Donald Trump, who is also 77 years old.

As a result, there's been an understated shift in strategy, as evidenced by President Biden continually making jokes about his age, in part, to allay those fears among voters.

If Joe Biden wins a second term come November, he will be 86 years old at the end of his tenure at the White House.

During a Thursday event in New York, Biden joked about the size of microchips being manufactured at the facility he was visiting.

He said, "It's 4000 times thinner than a single hair on your head and I got some very thin hair on my head."

He also enjoys telling large audiences that he is aware that "he looks 40."

His supporters could be seen cracking up and clapping along to his humorous quips.

There have been noticeable changes in the president's routine lately. He has switched to wearing sneakers or hiking boots, with the Hoka 'Transport' sneakers being his recent favorite, which cost around $150 a pair.

Additionally, he has started to use the smaller staircase on Air Force One, which has fewer steps and has incorporated balancing exercises into his workout routine.

President Joe Biden, who is 81 years old, has experienced more than a few stumbles during his three years in the Oval Office.

He has fallen while boarding Air Force One, tripped on numerous staircases, and even had a dramatic fall at the Air Force Academy when he came across a sandbag.

To avoid such incidents, he opted for the smaller staircase that leads into the belly of the 747, which has only 14 stairs compared to the 26 stairs on the upper part of the plane. 

Biden's physician, Dr Kevin O'Connor, has admitted that the president has a stiff gait.

In both reports on the POTUS's physicals, Dr. O'Connor mentioned that Joe Biden has a “stiffened ambulatory gait.”

During the 2020 presidential campaign, President Biden fractured his foot, and since then, he has had to wear a boot.

However, Dr O'Connor has declared that Biden is fit to hold office and has recommended physical therapy, including “proprioceptive maintenance maneuvers” and shoe orthotics, to help with his walking. 

Proprioception training focuses on the sense of body positioning in space and includes balancing exercises, tai chi, and yoga.

President Biden works out on most mornings at the White House gym, and has been doing balancing exercises with Drew Contreras, who was a physical therapist in the Army and worked with Barack Obama when he was in the White House.

Internet reacts as Joe Biden’s aides alter his walking routine to Marine One

One X user remarked, "At least he’s not walking into a courtroom every day."

Another user said, "I think President Biden walks just fine."

Another user wrote, "His age is common knowledge, but Dark Brandon is a Patriot, and he never tried to overthrow our Republic."

One user snarked, "First he could no longer use the big boy stairs on his airplane, and now he can't walk unassisted to his helicopter. November cannot come quickly enough."

Another X user quipped, "Oh yeah, it was the WALKING that gave away his old age, not anything else."

Finally, this user tweeted, "It is hilarious to me that the Democrats chose a guy who ACTUALLY embodies every fault they fraudulently projected onto Trump. The same people who strained to talk about Trump on a slippery ramp for months have to shrug off literal falls from Biden every week."

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.