A recent New York Times report detailed efforts by those closest to President Joe Biden to shield him as his presidency progressed, citing concerns about his age and physical decline. Aides observed that Biden spoke more slowly, required help rising from his seat, and walked with a halting gait. His longtime aide, Mike Donilon, warned in 2022 that public perception of his age was a significant issue, advice Biden reportedly dismissed when announcing his 2023 reelection bid without consulting his team.
According to the report, aides adjusted Biden’s schedule to keep him in good spirits, delayed sharing unfavorable information, and surrounded him during public appearances to avoid scrutiny. They even replaced the traditional steps to Air Force One with a shorter set and provided him a teleprompter for private fundraisers.
Six key figures, including First Lady Jill Biden and close aides, worked to manage his public image. Despite their efforts, Biden faced frequent controversies and public missteps, capped by images of him sitting on a cushion at the Resolute Desk during his farewell address, a moment critics called symbolic of his physical struggles.
The 82-year-old president, the oldest in U.S. history, has faced challenges with balance, stamina, and mental clarity throughout his term, leading to a polarized legacy as he prepares to leave office.
The images also reveal an emergency box of tissues and a glass of water placed to Biden’s right, out of view from the front-facing cameras that broadcast his speech to the nation.
