White House staffers plan out President Biden’s movements down to the most minute detail even for the simplest of events, providing the president with photos and instructions in large text about where he should go and what he should do, according to a new report from Axios.
In one instance, a pair of photos show the path from a back stage area toward a podium, and instructions read “WALK TO PODIUM” in a bold font.
“It surprised me that a seasoned political pro like the president would need detailed verbal and visual instructions on how to enter and exit a room,” one person who has staffed an event for Biden in the past 18 months told Axios.
“I staffed a simple fundraiser at a private residence, but they treated it like it was a NATO summit with his movements,” the person added.
The White House argued the planning was hardly out of the ordinary for US presidents, however.
“If individuals are not accustomed to seeing advance teams work, that would be a common reaction, whoever the principal is,” the White House told Axios in a statement.
The development comes as Democrats confidence in Biden’s fitness for office continues to crumble in the wake of his catastrophic debate performance against former President Trump.