President Joe Biden has adjusted his routine for walking to and from Marine One, the presidential helicopter, in a strategic move aimed at diverting attention from his sometimes unsteady gait. Axios reports this.
Previously accustomed to making the trek solo, Biden now often walks accompanied by aides, strategically positioned between him and journalists’ cameras.
According to reports, this shift aims to reduce focus on Biden’s occasional stiffness and shuffling while navigating the South Lawn of the White House.
Advisors to the President have voiced concerns that footage of Biden walking alone, particularly across the lawn, unnecessarily emphasizes his age.
This alteration in the Marine One protocol appears to have begun in April, following over three years of Biden’s solitary walks to the helicopter.
Furthermore, measures have been reportedly taken at the White House to minimize the risk of Biden stumbling, including the President increasingly choosing footwear offering enhanced support and opting for shorter staircases when boarding Air Force One.