The ‘most transparent administration in history’ – isn’t.
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
President Joe Biden’s apparent defiance of aging is evident to many, with his energetic global travels resembling that of a much younger person.
However, upon closer observation, it becomes apparent that the 80-year-old president is receiving significant accommodations in both style and substance from his staff, aimed at concealing any mental and physical declines.
According to POLITICO, the traveling press corps around Biden has begun noticing the various ways in which the White House is catering to the needs of the octogenarian president. One noticeable change is the introduction of a smaller, retractable set of stairs for boarding Air Force One in recent months.
This alteration followed two unfortunate falls the president experienced while ascending the traditional, grandiose stairs leading to the plane’s main passenger door.
When questioned about the change in stairs being a response to the president’s falls, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared unaware or pretended to be unaware of the connection, offering no direct acknowledgment or explanation.
“I don’t have any decision process to walk through,” Jean-Pierre responded. “I’m sure there’s a protocol that’s used for the — for Air Force One. I just don’t have one.”
Another White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the change in Air Force One policy is a decision “made on a variety of factors in a wide range of settings and circumstances.”
According to two Biden officials who spoke anonymously, the decision to introduce the smaller stairs was indeed intended to make travel more convenient for the elderly president. They further justified the change by stating that most people outside of the attentive press pool are unlikely to notice or be concerned about such details.
Amid declining poll numbers and apprehensions expressed by former allies regarding his age, Democrats have rallied to defend the incumbent president, citing his years of “wisdom” as a compelling reason to support and reelect Biden.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged the president to lean hard into that approach.
During an appearance Wednesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” the 83-year-old Pelosi said Biden should “embrace his age.”
“Age is a relative thing, and I think this country is very well served by his leadership, his experience, his knowledge,” she said.
Despite regular physical reports issued by the White House, it becomes difficult to overlook some noticeable changes in Biden’s behavior. Notably, he has switched to more relaxed footwear, which was a change he previously resisted.
Additionally, there are observations of a “noticeably stiffened” gait that becomes evident when he seems lost during various events.
In recent speeches, Biden has made misstatements regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of his son, Beau. He has also praised former British Queen Elizabeth as if she were still alive, and his remarks have been, at times, meandering and drawn audible laughs from progressive audiences.