President Biden’s Onstage Confusion Raises Concerns About Mental Fitness
In a recent public appearance, President Joe Biden’s confusion and indecision on stage have raised concerns about his mental fitness. During a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House, Biden appeared unsure of where to stand, pacing back and forth behind the king.
As the meeting began, Biden welcomed King Abdullah and then said, “Your majesty, over to you.” However, as Abdullah prepared to deliver his speech, the president seemed uncertain about where he should stand. He shuffled around behind the king and the podium, even gazing down at the floor as if searching for a mark indicating the proper place for him.
Biden wavered between two different spots before finally settling on his initial choice, standing to Abdullah’s left side and in front of the Jordanian flag. The president’s indecision seemed to throw off the king, who looked over his left shoulder expecting to see Biden but found him absent.
“I switched sides on you,” Biden admitted, before moving over to the left side of the now-smiling king. This moment of confusion was captured on video and quickly circulated on social media platforms.
Biden’s onstage confusion comes shortly after special counsel Robert Hur decided not to recommend criminal charges against the president for his handling of classified White House documents. Hur’s report mentioned that a jury might view Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” The report highlighted instances where Biden couldn’t recall the years he served as Barack Obama’s vice president or when his late son Beau Biden passed away.
The Republican National Committee’s research account, RNC Research, seized on this gaffe and shared the video with the caption, “BIDEN: What am I doing? Where am I going?” This incident has fueled criticism from conservatives who argue that Biden’s mental acuity is questionable.
Andrew Giuliani, a former Trump administration official and son of former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani, took to social media to express his concerns. He wrote, “The world is laughing at us,” sharing the footage of the president’s confusion. Radio host and political strategist Melik Abdul sarcastically remarked, “Don’t judge his mental acuity. Judge him by his ability to get things done, like stand where the tape is and do so on the appropriate side of your invited guest.”
Even Steve Flesch, a golfer on the PGA Champions Tour, criticized Democrats for “rolling him out there” and accused them of elder abuse. Flesch’s sentiment echoes the concerns of many who worry that Biden’s cognitive abilities are being exploited for political gain.
However, there are those who defend Biden and argue that the incident isn’t as alarming as it seems. Some social media users pointed out that Biden was likely searching for a floor marker indicating the camera shot. They explained that in movies, plays, TV shows, and press conferences, a piece of tape is often placed on the ground to guide the performers. These users believe that Biden’s confusion was merely a result of trying to find his mark.
Despite differing opinions on the incident, public polling consistently shows that a majority of voters are concerned about Biden’s mental fitness for office. According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted after the release of the Hur report, 86% of Americans believe Biden is “too old” to be president. In comparison, 62% said the same about former President Donald Trump, who is seeking a rematch against Biden in the upcoming November election.
As the 2024 presidential campaign heats up, concerns about Biden’s mental fitness are likely to remain a topic of discussion. The president’s supporters will continue to defend him, while his critics argue that his cognitive abilities are questionable. Only time will tell how these concerns will impact public perception and the upcoming election.