The White House reassures about Joe Biden's health, as do his aides, describing him as responsive, decisive and fast. But, behind the scenes, administration officials admit that they are trying to accommodate the needs of a president who is no longer young so as not to burden his physical state. And so, reports the New York Times, Biden's public appearances are usually limited between noon and 16 p.m., and the president is not disturbed — unless there are emergencies — on weekends. His exposure to interviews is also limited: he granted a quarter of those of Donald Trump in the same period of time in the White House, and a fifth of those of Barack Obama. The president's staff also decided not to make the doctor available to answer questions, in contrast to other presidents.
Doubts about Biden's health have deepened in recent days, after his fall. But they have been circulating for some time considering that the president is asking Americans to leave him in the White House until he is 86 years old. Democrats are among the most concerned about Biden's age in addition to polls, which indicate the president's age as one of the most problematic issues for voters. A Democratic Wall Street funder told The New York Times that Biden's age was the most discussed topic during a recent fundraiser. At a dinner of former Democratic senators a few months ago, everyone agreed that he is too old for the race.