President Joe Biden’s pause on stage at a Democratic fundraiser ignited online debate.
According to the Washington Examiner, President Joe Biden appeared to stand motionless on stage until former President Barack Obama gently led him off, sparking online debate about Biden's fitness for office.
The incident occurred at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles during a star-studded event that raised over $30 million for Biden’s reelection campaign. The fundraiser featured a 45-minute interview with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, and notable attendees included Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jack Black.
President Biden was seen smiling and waving to the crowd before he appeared to stand still after the event. Former President Obama then gently grabbed Biden’s wrist and led him offstage, a moment captured on video and shared widely online. The video was initially posted by Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner.
The footage quickly reignited scrutiny over Biden’s fitness to lead, especially given his age of 81. Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman was among the critics, questioning Biden’s ability to serve another term. Ackman’s remarks reflected concerns from some quarters about Biden’s physical and mental capabilities.
Biden is an old 81 who can’t find his way off a stage or stay present and focused at a G7 conference. Is that who should be the leader of the free world for the next five years?. A president should not have to be led off stage by hand or with an arm wrapped around him. That is not the image of strength and leadership we need as a country.
The incident on Saturday night was not the first time Biden faced such criticism. Last week, he was scrutinized for appearing to wander away from other world leaders during a G7 meeting in Italy. However, according to his campaign spokeswoman, Adrienne Elrod, the video of that incident was edited to omit the skydiving demonstration Biden was moving towards.
The White House and Obama’s camp have pushed back against the narrative that Biden needed assistance. White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates criticized the media coverage, particularly targeting the New York Post and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, for what he described as dishonest reporting. Bates stated:
By pretending the President taking in an applauding crowd for a few seconds is somehow wrong, all they’re really admitting is — once again — they can’t take on the leadership that’s fueling the strongest economic growth in the world, bringing violent crime to a 50-year low, restoring manufacturing jobs from overseas, and strengthening our alliances.
Obama's senior adviser, Eric Schultz, also refuted the claims that Biden froze up. Schultz responded to the outlet's tweet, which included its article and the description, “Biden appears to freeze up, has to be led off stage by Obama at mega-bucks LA fundraiser,” with a terse denial. “This did not happen,” Schultz wrote in response.
The fundraiser successfully raised over $30 million, a significant financial achievement for Biden’s reelection campaign. The presence of high-profile celebrities and the substantial amount raised underscored the strong support within the entertainment industry for Biden.
During the event, Biden also took the opportunity to criticize his chief political opponent, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. He described Trump’s rhetoric on the campaign trail as “outrageous,” reinforcing the stark contrast between their political approaches.
Despite the criticisms and controversies, Biden’s campaign highlighted the fundraiser's success and importance. The event’s financial success and high-profile attendance were seen as indicators of robust support for Biden’s reelection bid. The scrutiny over Biden’s actions at the fundraiser and the G7 meeting has not deterred his campaign’s efforts. Biden’s team continues to focus on promoting his achievements and leadership qualities, aiming to counteract any negative narratives.
In conclusion, the Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles brought financial success and renewed scrutiny for President Joe Biden. The incident where Obama led Biden offstage has sparked debate regarding Biden’s fitness for office, amplified by previous criticisms from the G7 meeting. The White House and Obama’s team have firmly denied any implications of Biden needing assistance, emphasizing his leadership strengths. The fundraiser highlighted the support and challenges Biden faces as he seeks reelection, with his campaign focusing on countering negative narratives and promoting his accomplishments.
