President Joe Biden’s recent appearance at a high-profile fundraiser in Los Angeles, California on June 15, 2024, has ignited a heated debate among supporters and detractors following a moment in which he appeared to pause on stage before being guided off by former President Barack Obama. The event, held at the Peacock Theater, featured prominent celebrities and raised over $30 million for Biden’s reelection campaign.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced online, showing Biden standing still for about 10 seconds before Obama took his wrist and led him offstage. Critics quickly suggested that Biden had frozen and needed assistance, fueling ongoing concerns about his age and cognitive abilities. Former President Donald Trump’s supporters seized the moment to question Biden’s fitness for office, with one conservative declaring, “Everyone promoting Joe Biden for another term is committing “elder abuse.”
Liberals, however, came to Biden’s defense, arguing that the moment was being blown out of proportion. A Biden supporter said the president was “taking in an applauding crowd for a few seconds” and not experiencing cognitive issues. The White House and Biden’s campaign team have downplayed the incident, with White House spokesperson Andrew Bates attributing the negative characterizations to political opponents trying to exploit the president’s age.
This incident is part of a broader narrative pushed by some of Biden’s critics who argue that he is experiencing cognitive decline. The release of a special counsel’s report described Biden’s memory as “hazy,” “fuzzy,” “faulty,” and “poor,” noting that he could not recall significant milestones in his own life. Biden has firmly denied these claims, stating, “My memory is fine,” and criticizing the report’s mention of his son’s death, saying, “How in the hell dare he raise that?”
Former President Donald Trump has frequently questioned Biden’s mental acuity, suggesting that Biden should take a cognitive test. Trump took such a test in 2018 and has used the results to boast about his own mental sharpness. During a speech where he criticized Biden’s cognitive abilities, Trump recently made a gaffe by confusing the name of his doctor, calling him Ronny Johnson instead of Ronny Jackson.
This incident follows several other public moments where Biden has appeared to need assistance, such as when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni redirected him during the G7 summit in Italy. Critics have pointed to these moments as signs of Biden’s declining cognitive abilities, while supporters argue they are being misrepresented. The White House has consistently dismissed these claims as disinformation. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the edited footage “cheap fake videos” that demonstrate “how desperate Republicans are.”
The fundraiser was not without additional drama. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the theater, waving flags and calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Police in riot gear were present to prevent the demonstrators from advancing too close to the event.
The debate over Biden’s fitness for office will likely continue as the 2024 election approaches. Both Biden and Trump face scrutiny over their age and cognitive abilities, adding a complex layer to the political landscape. As the campaign heats up, moments like Biden’s pause at the L.A. fundraiser will remain focal points for supporters and critics.