Biden needs to resign this is downright frightening.
During a Juneteenth celebration at the White House on Monday, President Joe Biden appeared to momentarily freeze. The 81-year-old president was recorded standing still while others, including Vice President Kamala Harris, were clapping and dancing to a performance by gospel singer Kirk Franklin.
Footage shows Biden staring blankly and remaining motionless for around 30 seconds. It was Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd—whose murder in 2020 sparked nationwide protests—who eventually noticed the president and put his arm around him. Biden smiled as Floyd leaned in to speak, and the two shared a brief fist bump after exchanging words.
The incident was quickly seized upon by Republicans, who have been focusing on Biden’s age as a significant issue in the upcoming 2024 election. The White House did not provide an immediate comment on the situation.
The Republican National Committee’s rapid response team questioned Biden’s immobility on social media platform X, and former President Trump’s campaign mocked the president, suggesting he was mentally absent. Senator Mike Lee from Utah joked about Biden’s lack of rhythm.
This episode drew comparisons to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s public freezing incidents last year. McConnell, who was 81 at the time, experienced similar moments in front of reporters and later announced he would not seek re-election in 2027 and would step down from leadership after the election.
Critics argue that Biden’s age is affecting his ability to perform presidential duties. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported instances where Biden seemed unclear during private meetings. However, the White House and Biden’s Cabinet members have robustly defended his mental fitness and competency.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates countered the criticism, stating that Biden is a capable and effective leader with a strong legislative record. Bates accused House Republicans of making false claims as a political strategy, contradicting their previous statements about Biden’s capabilities.
Earlier this year, a report from the Department of Justice’s special counsel described Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” a factor in the decision not to charge him over the mishandling of classified documents from his Senate years.
Biden has had a history of gaffes, but his recent verbal missteps have drawn more attention. In May, he incorrectly referenced the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, he mistakenly called out to a deceased congresswoman during an event. These and other errors have raised concerns about his cognitive health.
At 81, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history. If re-elected, he would be 86 at the end of his second term. His likely opponent, former President Trump, is also among the oldest presidential candidates at 77.
WATCH:
Why isn't Biden moving? pic.twitter.com/DA78820xcd
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 11, 2024