No longer flying solo.
President Biden is now being accompanied to and from the South Lawn to board Marine One by a phalanx of staffers — in a bid to keep the press from focusing on the commander in chief’s halting, shuffling gait that is a constant reminder of his advanced age.
The 81-year-old Biden, the oldest-ever chief executive, had typically taken the walk to the presidential helicopter alone or with members of his family over his first three years in office.
However, aides began flanking him around mid-April, attracting rampant press speculation.
On Friday, in one of the clearest examples yet of the new routine, six staffers including press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre positioned themselves between Biden and the waiting cameras and microphones upon his return to the nation’s capital from New York.
Axios reported Friday morning that some Biden aides believe the change shows the president to appear more agile and expect the practice to continue.
In March, the president was seen walking to and from Marine One five times — either by himself or in the company of relatives.
But since April 16, the president has made the trip to the chopper with his staff or lawmakers nine out of 10 times.
“He’s fully visible except for a few seconds,” White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates mocked the speculation about the meaning of Biden’s new blockers. “Impeach.”
An administration official also pushed back by insisting that Biden made the change to reflect a “less formal” crossing of the lawn to the helicopter.
“Weeks ago the president mentioned to aides that he’d prefer a less formal approach and said they should just walk with him,” an official said.
The president has held the fewest White House press conferences or formal interviews of any commander-in-chief in modern history, often forcing the press corps to shout questions at him as he dashes across the South Lawn to board Marine One.
Reporters and photographers had speculated that one possible reason for Biden’s staff walking shoulder-to-shoulder with him on approach to the helicopter was to prevent him from veering toward the press to chat.
Short question-and-answer sessions, generally on the lawn, are by far the president’s most common form of press engagement.
As the nation approaches the election, the reported reason actually is concern about his age, which has been highlighted especially in the last year.
First lady Jill Biden has frequently accompanied her husband off the dais at events — and has positioned herself to help shut down press conferences that could give the president’s critics more evidence that his age is a political liability.
Jill Biden’s presence also generally indicates Biden won’t talk when walking to the helicopter.
His staff has also since taken steps to help prevent the president from tripping.
Biden has been seen wearing shoes that provide him with extra, but necessary, support, according to Axios.
He has also been seen boarding Air Force One through its rear entrance — which requires the use of shorter, less steep stairs — after he was captured numerous times on video stumbling while he climbed longer stairs while entering the plane.
Biden is also reported to be regularly doing physical therapy and stretching exercises.
While the president’s team continues to work to change the public’s perception of his fitness, the Biden campaign has also leaned into using his age as an asset during the election cycle.
Just last month, Biden narrated a campaign ad in which he emphasized that his age and experience are actually strengths that help him “get things done.”
“Look, I’m not a young guy. That’s no secret,” says Biden in a new 60-second spot called “For You” — part of a new $30 million advertising buy in battleground states. “But here’s the deal — I understand how to get things done for the American people.”
https://nypost.com/2024/04/26/us-news/the-reason-why-joe-biden-changed-how-he-walks/
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