American media have been relentless in highlighting the increasing number of gaffes by President Joe Biden. Often, he is portrayed as an elderly, frail man. The New York Post details the tactics employed by Biden’s team to conceal as much of his troubles as possible as he campaigns for a second term.
The New York Post points out that Biden is not an ordinary 81-year-old. He is an 81-year-old with two aneurysms in his medical history. The publication notes Biden’s frequent blank stares and slowed movements.
Zelensky: Just a Mistake
The media have not forgotten Biden’s recent series of blunders, including one last Friday when he confused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vice President Kamala Harris with his rival, Donald Trump. Interestingly, Zelensky himself laughed off the unfortunate mix-up. “Just a mistake,” he said.
Cheat Sheets and Artificial Crowds
The New York paper, while acknowledging that Biden’s gaffes cannot be completely hidden, lists the tricks his team uses to mitigate the president’s difficulties. These include various cheat sheets to help the Democratic candidate organize his thoughts, ranging from teleprompters to reminder notes. Biden is also often surrounded by his entourage to obscure his stiff gait.
“It’s Impossible to Hide”
According to the New York Post, Biden takes short steps when boarding Air Force One to minimize the risk of tripping on the stairs. Additionally, he wears specially designed stabilizing shoes, which are far from elegant but mimic the appearance of formal footwear.
“They try to protect him as best they can. But it’s simply impossible,” commentators from the New York Post conclude.