President Joe Biden has introduced an entourage to walk with him across the White House lawn that has helped distract from his awkward gait, according to a report.
The president’s team has grown concerned that videos of Biden awkwardly shuffling across the White House South Lawn to Marine One may highlight his age and health, according to several Biden aides speaking with Axios. By walking with a team, the other people both distract and cover up some angles of the cameras.
The change in routine was reportedly Biden’s idea. The president told aides he wanted to have the opportunity to be less formal with them and invited them to walk with him on his way to Marine One.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates waved off the story.
“He’s fully visible except for a few seconds. Impeach,” he said.
“Weeks ago the President mentioned to aides that he’d prefer a less formal approach and said they should just walk with him,” a White House official added.
Since April 16, he has been accompanied by aides or lawmakers nine out of 10 times that he has made the walk.
While the aides have tended to accompany Biden more often than not in recent weeks, it’s not clear whether the president is intentionally using them as a shield. Biden will often walk out ahead of the aides, giving cameras and journalists an unobstructed view of his cadence.
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Biden’s gait is the result of his health problems — according to his doctor, he suffers from “spinal arthritis” and “mild sensory peripheral neuropathy of the feet.”
Aside from walking alongside others, aides have taken a variety of other measures to assist in the perception of Biden’s health. Incidents where he has tripped and stumbled have led his team to take precautions, such as wearing Hoka sneakers with increased support. Biden also takes shorter stairs up to Air Force One.
