President Joe Biden’s newest shoes have stirred up social media users and again shone a spotlight on how the issues of age and health could impact the 2024 US Election.
CNN’s Inside Edition was the first to report on Biden’s black Hoka sneakers, which it went on to describe as giving wearers extra stability because of the shoe’s wide sole.
Expressing surprise at the president’s choice of footwear, Inside Edition played footage of a dark-suited Biden walking out of the White House, strolling across the South Lawn and towards Marine One, the helicopter that carries the president.
The Hoka Transport, which sells in Australia for $299, is ”designed to provide balanced cushioning and stability where you need it most,” according to an online retailer.
Some social media users immediately branded the shoes “Air Bidens”.
In his time as president, Biden has had multiple public stumbles.
The most recent was a trip while climbing the stairs to board Air Force One last month.
As the US election edges closer, much has been made of the ages of Biden, 81, and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, 77, and whether either candidate is robust enough to govern the world’s biggest superpower through to 2028.
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At 81, Biden is already the oldest president in US history, while the 77-year-old Trump is facing decades in prison as a defendant in four criminal cases.
Both men have suffered public memory lapses and polls have shown Americans are worried about Trump and Biden’s ages.
Many pundits agree Biden’s age is one of his greatest political liabilities, as he tries to win a second term in the White House.
Curiously, particularly for Trump, the two men have not often attacked each other over their age.
Trump has even previously said he doesn’t believe Biden is too old to run for reelection.
Rather than go after Biden’s age directly, Trump has instead tried to paint Biden as “incompetent,” and “cognitively impaired”, which he argues is not solely about the president’s age.
Trump regularly uses the term “Sleepy Joe” to talk about Biden, in line with his habit of using personal insults, like calling Hillary Clinton “Crooked Hillary” and using the racial slur “Pocahontas” when referring to Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren.
At a recent rally, Trump showed that President Biden’s lifelong speech impediment was not off the table when it came to going after his opponent.
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Trump drew laughter from supporters at a rally in Georgia when he mimicked and mocked Biden’s stutter.
Americans will go to the polls in November.
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