President Joe Biden, who is 80 years old, was assisted by his wife, Jill, as he left the stage after delivering remarks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Washington, D.C. In a video, the First Lady rejoined her husband, guiding him away from the audience as he waved. The Bidens had both spoken at the dinner, addressing LGBTQ+ rights and equality issues. President Biden mentioned the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States and globally, criticizing some congressional Republicans’ attempts to undo progress made in LGBTQ+ rights. He also emphasized the need to combat hate in all forms, including antisemitism, islamophobia, homophobia, and transphobia.
During his speech, President Biden was briefly interrupted by a pro-Palestinian activist who called for a ceasefire in Gaza. After he concluded his speech, Jill Biden helped him leave the stage.
This event came in the wake of several incidents in which President Biden appeared to have difficulty entering and exiting stages. His age, 80, has led to concerns about his physical abilities as he continues to serve as President. Despite his intention to run for reelection in 2024, polls indicate that a significant portion of the American population believes he is too old for the job, with 73% of Americans sharing this view and a majority of his own party expressing the same sentiment.