Joe Biden has spent days preparing for his State of the Union address but there is worry among his aides that the gaffe-prone President could be heckled by Republicans, or once again trip and fall as he takes the stage.
Millions of Americans will tune into the State of Union address on Thursday evening (9pm ET) to help decide whether to support Biden or Trump in the 2024 election.
The address, which will take place at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, will provide a huge platform for Biden to make his case as to why he should get a second term in office.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said during a briefing Wednesday: “The President’s got this.”
But following on from a number of falls by the 81-year-old US leader, members of his team are said to be fearful another tumble could shatter his re-elction hopes.
In June 2023, Biden tripped and fell over a sandbag at the US Air Force Academy graduation in Colorado.
Just three months later, in September 2023, the President was boarding the Air Force One plane in Michigan, when he appeared to stumble again.
A video shows the President losing his footing while making his way up the stairs. His team have, however, revealed that he has been working on his balance with a physical therapist in recent years.
Donald Trump – the Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential race – has been using the old man stereotype to criticize Biden’s ability to lead – though he is only a few years younger at 77 and has faced criticism for the same reason.
Biden could also face booing and heckling from Republican lawmakers and politicians at the State of Union address, experts suspect.
During last year’s speech, the incumbent President was booed for his claim that Republicans wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare.
At the time, the White House pointed out how well Biden handled himself while being booed.
House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has asked his lawmakers to keep it reined in during the president’s remarks and called for “decorum”.
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