Biden’s Health Concerns and Potential Wheelchair Use
Reports suggest President Joe Biden’s health has declined rapidly, leading his team to discuss the possibility of using a wheelchair if he is re-elected, particularly in the event of another fall.
A new book by Jake Tapper of CNN and Alex Thompson from Axios reveals that Biden’s aides are seriously worried about his physical state, specifically the deterioration of his spine. His staff has been particularly troubled by episodes like his “Stop Walk,” which could lead to a severe accident.
In June 2023, an incident at the Air Force Academy where Biden tripped over a punching bag heightened these concerns. This prompted an increase in safety measures regarding his walkways and stage setups.
According to Axios, the president’s team has been trying to create shorter walking paths for him. They’ve also made it a point for him to wear sneakers and to have handrails on stage. These modifications were all linked to visual briefings meant to ensure Biden understood the routes he would take. This situation has reportedly been quite dire, as staff wanted him to be aware of each step he’d need to make.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, expressed concern that another fall might lead to the necessity of a wheelchair.
Despite these issues, it seems staff were reluctant to prioritize Biden’s health during the re-election campaign. They reportedly decided to hold off on any decisions regarding wheelchair use until after the election, deeming it politically unacceptable.
Doctors have voiced additional worries, indicating that should Biden face another fall, recovery might be complicated. O’Connor even joked about feeling like the only safeguard for the president, while his staff sometimes appeared to be ignoring his health needs. He believed more rest was necessary, which clashed with the narrative being suggested by Biden’s aides regarding his condition.
For instance, a White House aide claimed the president’s difficulty in walking stemmed from a broken leg, but O’Connor pointed out that the small fracture had fully healed. He also noted that the president’s posture issues were attributed to “severe spondyloarthritis.”
An unnamed spokesperson revealed that while Biden has a stiff gait due to wear and tear in his spine, no special treatment is required, and the situation hasn’t deteriorated. The spokesperson emphasized that changes in Biden’s physical condition do not imply any cognitive decline, arguing that there hasn’t been a moment where Biden couldn’t perform presidential duties or deliver speeches due to mental issues.
Curtis Houck from MRC Newsbusters remarked that those who assert Biden’s health is perfectly fine are ignoring reality. He suggested that if it weren’t for media coverage, Vice President Kamala Harris might not have become a 2024 candidate.
Regarding criticisms of the president’s health, CNN’s Tapper faced backlash for a prior on-air conflict when he accused people of not possessing medical knowledge for drawing attention to Biden’s deteriorating condition.
Blaze News has reached out to Joe and Jill Biden’s offices concerning the claims made in the upcoming book, and updates will follow as necessary.
