President Joe Biden’s fall at the Air Force Academy graduation last week sparked new questions about the president’s ability to effectively serve in office. The president claimed that his fall was related to a sandbag on stage, but his shoes may offer another clue.
A photo of the president’s fall showed that he may be wearing special shoes intended to grip the ground. In short, the shoes were likely intended to prevent what happened on national television last week.
They gave Joe special grip sole shoes and he's still falling on his face. Sad. pic.twitter.com/L0sKXlEoY7
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) June 1, 2023
The president’s fall despite the fact that he was wearing shoes likely meant to prevent the outcome further increases concerns about his general health.
The president’s fall raised further questions regarding the president’s physical ability to continue serving. At 80, Biden is currently the oldest president in American history. Should he be reelected in 2024, he would leave office at 86 years old.
Biden’s health struggles also contrast considerably with his potential Republican opponents. Former President Donald Trump is just four years Biden’s junior but is perceived by many Americans as considerably younger than the current president.
Trump’s energetic style was a major difference from Biden in the 2020 campaign, and it is reasonable to assume that it would be again.
In addition, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is currently 44 years old. DeSantis is about half of Biden’s age and his status as a Navy veteran would likely highlight energy differences with the president.
Furthermore, much of the American public is concerned about Biden’s ability to serve another four years. The president suffers from low approval ratings, generally. Currently, in the RealClearPolitics polling average, Biden’s job performance receives the approval of less than 42% of the electorate.
The president also received negative ratings from the general public regarding his physical and mental fitness to serve. An ABC News/Washington Post poll last month found that just 32% of Americans believe that Biden has the “mental sharpness” to serve in the White House.
In addition, 62% of those polled said that Biden was not in “good enough physical health” to serve as president. Trump, in contrast, received high ratings from the public, including a majority believing that he was mentally and physically fit to be the chief executive.
