A document obtained from a leak discloses the comprehensive plans that White House staffers have in place to direct President Joe Biden during his public engagements. The document, made with large fonts and visual aids for easy reading, provides a comprehensive layout of Biden’s actions, ranging from his entrance into venues to his walk to the podium.
The detailed guide was accessed and disclosed by Axios, and it displays meticulous instructions for the president, indicating where to stand and which routes to take during events. The level of detail has caught the attention of various political commentators, particularly given Biden’s long-standing career in politics.
One of the president’s event planning staff members commented, “I staffed a simple fundraiser at a private residence, but they treated it like it was a NATO summit with his movements.” This statement seems to echo the growing apprehensions over the president’s cognitive and physical abilities to fulfill the demands of his position.
However, White House officials have dismissed the importance of the guide, arguing that such detailed guidance is a common practice for any contemporary presidential advance team. They stress that the high degree of detail is required to guarantee smooth and flawless public appearances.
White House spokesperson, Andrew Bates, explained, “These are basic approaches that are used by any modern advance team, including the vice president’s office and agencies.”
Regardless of these assurances, the leaked document has sparked discussions around Biden’s mental agility, especially following several public missteps. During the recent presidential debate against Donald Trump, Biden’s performance came under heavy criticism, with many pointing to instances of word stumbling and apparent confusion.
The intensity of the scrutiny has recently increased, with some Democratic lawmakers expressing concerns about Biden’s potential candidacy in the upcoming election. A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Biden has started to show more signs of his age, including slower speech and apparent fatigue in private.
The leaked guide features images titled “Walk to the podium,” “View from the podium,” and “View from the audience,” indicating a highly visual approach to directing Biden’s movements during public events. This level of detail was surprising to some of Biden’s former aides from his vice-presidential tenure, as they remembered his preparation documents being less detailed and more dependent on site layouts.
One former aide was taken aback, stating, “It surprised me that a seasoned political pro like the president would need detailed verbal and visual instructions on how to enter and exit a room.”
Republicans have used the document as ammunition to argue that Biden’s cognitive abilities are deteriorating, using footage of his public errors to suggest he is unfit for office. Nonetheless, Biden’s advisors insist that he is in excellent physical and mental health, able to effectively serve another term until 2028.
In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden himself addressed the speculation about his health and ability, saying, “Now that you have returned from the July 4 recess, I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump.”
