President Biden nearly suffered another embarrassing fall Wednesday after successfully navigating the short stairs on Air Force One ahead of his campaign trip to Wisconsin.
Biden, 81, managed to mount the steps without issue, but noticeably wobbled before lurching for the nearest railing to stabilize himself after turning around to wave and salute before entering the cabin of the presidential aircraft.
Video footage captured the ordeal at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland ahead of Biden’s trek to Racine County, Wis., where he was to tout a $3.3 billion investment from Microsoft in a new artificial intelligence data center.
Biden was also due to take part in a campaign event in the Badger State before traveling on to Chicago for another fundraiser.
The president has frequently opted to use the shorter 14-step stairs in the rear of Air Force One, rather than make the traditional 18-foot club to an upper door at the front of the plane.
White House officials have repeatedly downplayed Biden’s growing reliance on the short stairs after a series of staggers and near-misses.
Back in February, Biden tripped up twice while boarding the presidential jet, leading to renewed questions about his advanced age.
“I know you know how f—ing old he is, and I know you don’t want to say it because [former President Donald] Trump is so scary, but he’s so f—ing old … when you watch him on television, you’re nervous, aren’t ya?” comedian Jon Stewart mused during a performance in Los Angeles last week.
At 81, Biden is already the oldest president in US history and would be 86 at the conclusion of a second four-year term in office.
His rival, former President Donald Trump, is 77 and would be 82 upon leaving office in January 2029.
Biden has acknowledged his age is a legitimate concern while attempting to defuse questions about it with humor.
“The 2024 election is in full swing. And yes, age is an issue,” he quipped at last month’s White House Correspondents Dinner. “I’m a grown man running against a 6-year-old.”
Aides and allies have insisted that Biden is as sharp as ever and up to the demanding tasks of the presidency.
However, polls repeatedly show that most Americans disagree.
In March, a New York Times/Siena College survey showed that more than six in 10 Biden 2020 voters said he was “just too old” to be effective in office, while about the same percentage of voters who plan to back him in 2024 felt the same way.