Biden’s stumbles and blunders spark scrutiny as insiders allege mental health cover-up
WASHINGTON — A recent investigation by The Wall Street Journal has unveiled allegations of a years-long effort by President Joe Biden’s team to obscure concerns about his mental acuity, reigniting debate over his fitness for office. The report highlights a series of deliberate actions taken by the administration to shield Biden’s condition from public view, including restructuring his schedule, hiring a vocal coach, and reducing his direct engagement with Cabinet members and key officials.
The claims follow a string of widely publicized missteps that critics say signal a decline in the president’s cognitive abilities. Among the incidents was a notable gaffe at a NATO summit in July, where Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin.” The investigation asserts that such blunders became more frequent despite the administration’s efforts to manage public perception.
One of the most striking examples occurred in March 2021, when Biden, then 78, stumbled multiple times while ascending the stairs to Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The president ultimately fell to his knees but regained his footing and completed the climb, saluting before entering the aircraft. At the time, White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured reporters that Biden was “100 percent fine.”
According to the report, administration officials occasionally postponed meetings or reassigned responsibilities on days when the president was reportedly struggling. The revelations suggest a coordinated effort to insulate him from situations that might exacerbate public concerns about his health.
The investigation has fueled criticism of Biden’s presidency, with detractors labeling his term as the most ineffective in decades. “Years of gaffes, from stumbling over names to physical missteps, have painted a troubling picture,” the report noted, intensifying scrutiny as Biden eyes a second term.