LOS ANGELES, CA — President Joe Biden faced scrutiny after a video circulated online showing him pausing on stage while being applauded at a high-profile fundraiser. The event featured former President Barack Obama and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
The incident occurred at a star-studded fundraiser, which raised a record-breaking $28 million for the Biden-Kamala Harris 2024 campaign. The video led to a heated debate over whether Biden “froze” or was merely savoring the applause.
Barack Obama Appears to Assist Biden
In the video, Biden is seen standing still on stage after waving to the applauding crowd. Obama then appears to gently guide him off stage. This has fueled further speculation about Biden’s cognitive state, especially after similar claims of him “freezing” during a recent Juneteenth event at the White House.
Social Media Reaction
The moment quickly went viral on social media, with conservatives pointing to it as evidence of Biden’s mental decline:
- A popular conservative account on X commented, “Biden froze again last night and had to get escorted out by Obama. Is this normal?”
- British journalist Piers Morgan tweeted, “So embarrassing. The Democrats can’t let this go on, surely?”
- The RNC research account remarked, “Biden freezes before Obama grabs his arm and leads him off stage. Yikes!”
Biden Campaign’s Response
The Biden campaign swiftly responded to these claims, asserting that Biden was simply taking in the applause. White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates criticized the narrative, saying:
“By pretending the President taking in an applauding crowd for a few seconds is somehow wrong, all they’re really admitting is – once again – is they can’t take on the leadership that’s fueling the strongest economic growth in the world & bringing violent crime to a 50 year low.”
Rufus Gifford, the finance chair for the Biden-Harris campaign, also denied the claims, tweeting, “Nothing remotely close to this actually happened.”
Record-Breaking Fundraiser
The event, which took place in Los Angeles, featured numerous celebrities including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Barbra Streisand. It set a record by raising $28 million in donations. Kimmel moderated a discussion between Biden and Obama, which focused on issues like abortion and the Supreme Court.
Notable Attendees and Remarks
First Lady Jill Biden, introduced by Streisand, and Hunter Biden were among the notable attendees. Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-chair of the Biden campaign, and several other Hollywood figures were present. Tickets ranged from $250 to $500,000, with the highest tier offering perks like a photo with Obama and Biden.
During the event, Obama made a rare comment about his daughters’ future in politics, stating that they would “never” pursue a political career due to their mother’s early advice against it.
Conclusion
The debate over Biden’s brief pause on stage underscores ongoing concerns about his cognitive health as both he and Trump, also facing scrutiny over their ages, prepare for the 2024 presidential election. The Biden campaign’s strong defense and the fundraiser’s success highlight the continued support and financial backing for his re-election bid.
COMMENTS