President Biden, who has been moved to the short stairs used by the media to board Air Force One, stumbled twice Tuesday as he ascended to his presidential plane.
While climbing the staircase — which is a shorter version affixed to the aircraft aimed at providing a more secure ascent — the president experienced an unsteady moment. Five steps into his climb, Mr. Biden hit his foot on a stair, and his knees appeared to buckle before he regained his footing and proceeded without issue, albeit holding onto the handrail for the remainder of the climb.
The incident caught the eye of political observers and was mentioned in media reports, reflecting the heightened attention on the president’s mobility and well-being. The RNC Research X account was quick to mock: “Biden almost trips (twice) as he boards Air Force One — despite using the short stairs to avoid tripping.”
Mr. Biden has publicly addressed his physical health and dismissed any speculation of inadequate fitness for his role. Previous reports have indicated he has worked with a physical therapist to improve his balance and even modified his choice of footwear — opting for tennis shoes on some occasions.
That didn’t help Tuesday. The stumble came after Axios reported that “Democrats, including some in the administration, are terrified Biden will have a bad fall — with a nightmare scenario of it happening in the weeks before the 2024 election.
“Biden’s team is betting that any mockery he receives over using the shorter Air Force One steps and wearing tennis shoes will be worth it to avoid another public stumble.”
White House spokesman Andrew Bates objected to the report: “This isn’t new — it was proactively and transparently disclosed. This article fits an unfortunate pattern of media attempting to sensationalize something that has long been public, rather than covering the president’s very real achievements for hardworking Americans.”
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