President Joe Biden, 81, has recently changed his routine when walking to Marine One on the White House's South Lawn, now inviting aides to join him in an apparent effort to block news cameras from capturing images of him shuffling or stumbling. The decision to have aides flank the president comes amid growing concerns about his age and fitness as the nation approaches the 2024 election.
According to advisers who spoke to Axios, the new approach is designed to present Biden as more agile and to draw less attention to his walking style, which has been a subject of scrutiny. The president, who had typically taken the walk solo over the last three years, began being accompanied by aides around mid-April. Some advisers believe the images of the new routine are more favorable and expect to have others continue to join him for the photo opportunities.
"Look, I'm not a young guy. That's no secret," Biden said in a recent 60-second campaign ad called "For You." "But here's the deal - I understand how to get things done for the American people." The ad, part of a $30 million advertising buy in battleground states, aims to frame Biden's age and experience as strengths that help him "get things done."
The change in the president's walking routine is just one of several steps his team has taken to address concerns about his age and fitness. Biden's doctor has revealed that the president's odd gait is caused by "spinal arthritis" and "mild sensory peripheral neuropathy of the feet," and he is undergoing physical therapy most days to improve his movement. The president has also been seen wearing shoes called "Hoka Transports," which have a wide sole for improved stability and bear the seal of approval from the American Podiatric Association for being beneficial to foot health.
In addition to the changes in his walking routine and footwear, Biden has been boarding Air Force One on a lower level after he was captured numerous times on video stumbling while climbing the longer stairs. The Secret Service now positions an agent at the bottom of the stairs when Biden disembarks the plane, according to a New York Times report from February.
The president's most notable stumbles have drawn significant attention, such as an incident last summer when he tripped on stage while greeting recent graduates of the Air Force Academy. First Lady Jill Biden has also frequently accompanied him off the dais at events and positioned herself to help shut down press conferences that could give the president's critics more evidence that his age is a political liability.
As the election cycle heats up, the Biden campaign has been working to shift the focus away from the president's age, which has been highlighted and put on blast multiple times during his presidency, especially in the last year. However, the campaign has also leaned into using his age as an asset, emphasizing his experience and ability to get things done for the American people.
The White House has held the fewest press conferences or formal interviews of any administration in modern history, often forcing the press corps to shout questions at Biden as he dashes across the South Lawn to board Marine One. The new routine of having aides accompany the president during these walks is seen as an attempt to mitigate the impact of these interactions and to present a more favorable image of the president's fitness and agility.
