During a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, President Joe Biden appeared momentarily confused, raising eyebrows among spectators and sparking discussions about his age and fitness for a second term. The 80-year-old president, guided by a member of the Honor Guard, participated in the solemn ceremony to honor Veterans Day.
As President Biden placed a wreath in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, he seemed momentarily unsure of the next steps. After placing the wreath, he turned to walk back to his designated spot but then unexpectedly reversed his direction, causing a brief moment of confusion. A member of the Honor Guard intervened, raising a gloved hand to guide the president back to his position, creating an unusually awkward scene during the ceremony.
The incident, broadcast live on C-SPAN, did not go unnoticed by critics on social media, who highlighted the moment and questioned the president’s handling of the ceremony. This occurrence adds to a series of instances where President Biden has faced criticism for stumbling and fumbling during public appearances, raising concerns about his age and ability to fulfill his duties.
If Joe Biden is so cognitively impaired that he can’t figure out where to stand during a solemn Veterans Day commemoration, how can he fulfill his duties as Commander-In-Chief in a crisis? Can you imagine @joebiden leading America during World War II?
pic.twitter.com/QZmRMvUQL8— David Burke 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@ConservativeTht) November 12, 2023
Questions about President Biden’s age have become a topic of discussion, not only among political opponents but also within his own party. A recent newsletter from Politico emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating that Biden’s age is “no laughing matter” and is central to his precarious standing in the polls. The newsletter suggested that the president needs a strategy to address voters’ concerns about electing an octogenarian for a second term, which would conclude when he is 86 years old.
This is Veterans Day in Joe Biden’s America pic.twitter.com/OqZueNzH78
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) November 11, 2023
Citing an Associated Press-NORC poll from August, the newsletter pointed out that about three-quarters of adults, including 69% of Democrats, believe Biden is too old to effectively serve as president. Respondents associated words like “old, outdated, aging, and elderly” with the president, with 15% using terms such as “slow and confused.” In contrast, the report noted that former President Donald Trump, Biden’s potential challenger in 2024, does not face the same age-related perception.
