A damning report reveals how President Joe Biden’s age significantly impacted his presidency, with his aides taking extraordinary measures to manage his workload and public appearances.
At a glance:
- Early struggles: Signs of Biden’s age were evident within months of taking office, with aides managing his schedule to avoid fatigue and mistakes.
- Limited access: Lawmakers, Cabinet members, and the public reported less direct interaction with Biden than previous presidents.
- Campaign challenges: Biden’s team vetted questions at events and shielded him from data showing he trailed Trump in polls.
- Judgment on classified material: Investigators noted Biden’s poor memory as a factor in their assessment of his handling of classified documents.
The Wall Street Journal report, based on interviews with nearly 50 individuals familiar with the Biden White House, sheds light on the challenges posed by the president’s age throughout his term. At 82 years old, Biden is the oldest U.S. President in history, and concerns about his age reportedly began emerging shortly after his inauguration.
Age-Related Concerns and Adjustments
According to the report, White House aides noticed signs of Biden’s age “in just the first few months” of his presidency. The president reportedly grew tired during lengthy meetings and occasionally made mistakes. To manage these challenges, aides scheduled shorter, more focused exchanges and sometimes canceled meetings altogether if Biden was “having an off day.”
A former aide recalled one instance when a national security official rescheduled a meeting, stating, “He has good days and bad days, and today was a bad day so we’re going to address this tomorrow.”
These adjustments extended to Biden’s interactions with his own Cabinet. According to the report, his communication with Cabinet members was infrequent and often tightly scripted. One Cabinet member reportedly gave up on requesting calls with Biden, believing such requests would not be welcomed.
Limited Access and Delegation of Duties
Lawmakers also reported limited personal contact with the president. House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith noted that he struggled to reach Biden during the Afghanistan withdrawal, saying he had more access to Barack Obama during his presidency despite being less senior at the time.
Senior advisers like Jake Sullivan, Steve Ricchetti, and Lael Brainard frequently acted as intermediaries for Biden, leading some officials and lawmakers to believe that these aides were performing roles the president should have filled himself.
Campaign Challenges and Public Perception
The report also highlighted issues on the campaign trail, where Biden’s team vetted questions from attendees in advance to minimize risks. Pollsters reportedly had minimal direct access to the president and doubted whether he fully understood the polling data indicating he was trailing Donald Trump.
In one notable incident, investigators assessing Biden’s handling of classified material concluded that a jury would likely view him as “a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory.”
Aging Leadership in Focus
As Biden prepares to leave office, the concerns raised in the report cast a long shadow over his presidency. With Donald Trump, who is also 78, set to take office in January, questions about the capacity of aging leaders to effectively manage the demands of the presidency are likely to remain central to the national conversation.
