An awkward and potentially confused exit by President Joe Biden from an MSNBC interview is the latest in a series of unusual actions by the nation’s oldest president. Biden’s actions and possible physical and mental lapses correspond to recent polls that show concern among the American public about his ability to serve effectively.
The events took place during a live airing of the news channel’s program “Deadline.”
The president referenced congressional Republicans who did not vote for the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Biden said, “I’ll be a president for every American whether they voted for me or not.”
“Well, and the ones that didn’t vote for your bills but run on them,” host Nicole Wallace said.
Biden made a visible effort to get up from his chair prior to the end of Wallace’s sentence.
The host quickly added, “Mr. President, thank you,” as Biden moved in to shake her hand.
Prior to the network changing cameras or cutting for commercials, Biden gingerly walked off the stage behind Wallace.
Biden ends his MSNBC interview and just gets up and walks off set while they're still live pic.twitter.com/0NHfeugavE
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) June 29, 2023
The president’s awkward exit marked a series of potential health and mental acuity concerns.
Late last month, the president arrived at a press event with visible marks on his face. The White House indicated that the president sleeps with a CPAP machine due to sleep apnea.
“Since 2008, the President has disclosed his history with sleep apnea in thorough medical reports. He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,” White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said.
Last month, Biden fell during the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony. The president blamed the slip on a sandbag placed on the stage.
During an event discussing gun violence, the president ended his remarks by stating “God save the queen, man.”
There was no explanation from the White House about the president’s remark.
The recent events come as more than two-thirds of voters said that they had concerns about the president’s mental and physical health, according to a new NBC News poll.