At the end of a star-studded campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles on Saturday, President Joe Biden stood still, gazing out at the crowd, when his former boss, Barack Obama, softly grabbed his wrist and guided him offstage. The brief moment was captured on camera and sparked renewed scrutiny about Biden’s ability to lead the country, particularly in the aftermath of the 2024 election.
Footage of the incident circulated online, prompting critics to question Biden’s mental acuity and fitness to hold the presidency. Billionaire Bill Ackman, in a tweet, criticized Biden, saying, “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 remark alluded to an earlier incident during a G7 meeting in Italy, where Biden was accused of wandering away from other leaders. However, a spokesperson clarified that Biden was actually walking towards skydivers who landed via parachute.
Obama’s gentle gesture sparked a flurry of speculation about Biden’s mental state, with some commentators questioning his ability to lead the country.
The White House and Obama’s team swiftly pushed back against the notion that Biden required assistance leaving the stage. Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates slammed the New York Post, accusing them of “lying about President Biden” and “disrespecting its readers and itself once again.” In a statement, Bates criticized the Post for “pretending the President taking in an applauding crowd for a few seconds is somehow wrong.”
Eric Schultz, Obama’s senior adviser, also refuted the incident, stating, “This did not happen.” The California fundraiser, which featured A-list stars like George Clooney and Julia Roberts, raised over $30 million for the Biden campaign. In an earlier interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Biden criticized his political opponent, Republican candidate Donald Trump, labeling his campaign rhetoric “outrageous.”
