Joe Biden is reportedly being given picture guides so he knows where to walk on and off stage during public appearances. The use of such images appears to be an effort to put a stop to the US president’s “senile” blunders.
Printouts first reported by Axios show the entrance and exit to a stage alongside the words, “Walk to podium”, along with a recommended route to follow.
Critics of Mr Biden have pointed to clips of the president appearing unsure of where to go on stage. The guide is said to be from a White House events template shared with staff.
An unnamed person who staffed a Biden fundraiser told Axios: “It surprised me that a seasoned political pro like the president would need detailed verbal and visual instructions on how to enter and exit a room.”
White House spokesperson, Andrew Bates, said high levels of detail were critical to presidential work no matter who is president.
He added these are “basic” approaches used by any modern advance team, including the Vice President’s office and agencies.
Kirsten Allen, a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, said: “These documents are standard logistical briefing materials and photos for any principal, including the vice president.”
Questions about Mr Biden’s fitness to serve and lead the Democrats into the next US presidential election continue to be raised despite the 81-year-old’s insistence he is up to the job.
Jill Biden on Monday (July 8) declared herself “all in” on President Biden’s bid to remain presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, despite calls by some Democrats for him to drop out after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.
The president himself brushed aside those calls and insisted anew on Monday that he won’t be bowing out of the race.
Some congressional Democrats called on him to let another candidate challenge Mr Trump because they no longer believe the president is mentally and physically capable of defeating the former Republican president in November.
Mr Biden has insisted only “the Lord Almighty” can convince him to quit the race.
This week’s NATO summit in Washington DC is just as much about Mr Biden showing he is capable of meeting the grinding demands of the presidency for four more years as it is about support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Mr Biden said his work at the summit, where NATO is celebrating 75 years, would be a good way to judge his continued ability to do the job.
The White House hopes to show wobbly Democrats Mr Biden still has what it takes during what’s expected to be a busy few days of formal summit meetings, sideline chats with leaders, long diplomatic dinners and receptions on top of a summit-ending press conference.
