KEY POINTS
- Footage of Pres Joe Biden at an event in LA, appears to show the 81-year-old freeze on stage, where former Pres Barack Obama appears to guide him off stage
- Right-wing critics say the footage shows Biden is not mentally fit enough to be in office
- But the White House has hit back saying the footage has been manipulated
- They also slam other right-wing media for earlier “attacks” on Biden’s public appearance – all which suggest he is not capable of presidency
White House slams claims Joe Biden froze at LA fundraiser after viral clip
The White House has accused “right-wing critics” of spreading misleading videos to question President Joe Biden’s mental fitness. Recently, critics claimed Biden was confused and needed Barack Obama to guide him off stage at a fundraiser. The White House responded by sharing footage showing Biden pausing to appreciate the applause.
Both Biden, 81 and his opponent Donald Trump, 78, are facing scrutiny over their mental sharpness as the election approaches. Polls indicate voters are more concerned about Biden’s age.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the issue, criticising Republicans for their “desperate” tactics and stating that the videos were manipulated in bad faith.
The controversy arose from a Los Angeles event featuring George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Julia Roberts, and Jimmy Kimmel. Conservative outlets shared a clip showing Biden and Obama leaving the stage together. Trump reposted the video, questioning Biden’s capability.
However, longer clips show Biden smiling and acknowledging the crowd. Jean-Pierre emphasised the close relationship between Biden and Obama.
The White House also disputed a report by the New York Post about Biden’s behaviour during a skydiving event in Italy, in which the tabloid suggested the president had “started to wander off during a skydiving demonstration” in Italy on Thursday, with other G7 leaders “needing to pull him back to focus”.