President Joe Biden looked “unsteady and confused” as he slowly climbed up the steps to Air Force One, a body language expert has said.
Video footage of the President shows him slowly climbing up the short set of stairs, as he tightly grips the handrail for support.
Biden had been leaving the US Virgin Islands on the jet, where he had been holidaying with his family for over a week.
He had been soaking up the sun with his wife Jill in a luxury villa, owned by major Democrat donors Bill and Connie Neville.
Biden had been holidaying with his wife
ABCPhotos taken of the 46th President as he left St Croix show him displaying rosy cheeks, likely due to sunburn as he spent seven days on the Caribbean Island.
The red-faced Biden was pictured shaking hands with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett before leaving Henry E Rohlsen Airport to return to Washington DC.
However, body language expert Judi James suggests that different photos suggest that not all is as it seems.
Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “Walking to the plane and mounting the steps, Biden appears unsteady and confused to the point where it looks painful to see him without someone nearby to offer assistance if needed.”
She compared Biden’s gait to his wife’s, who she said stood with confidence.
Biden’s solo accession of the stairs up to Air Force One could be an attempt to show the world that he is still strong and independent, James said.
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She explained: “The possible vanity of proving Biden can walk up a very steep flight of steps that might challenge a younger man is probably less important than having someone close on hand if he does stumble.”
The body language expert commented on his wary climb up the stairs: “His walk up the steps looks careful but he seems to avoid the obvious precaution of keeping a firm grip on the handrail to help if he does trip.
“Instead, he appears to propel himself along with the hand. Unfortunately, when he arrives at the top, his legs seem to be quicker than his upper body causing a moment of visible confusion as he turns to wave.”
She said that Biden’s attempts to appear youthful would not play out well: “There should be no stigma around ageing because it can come with vital traits like wisdom and experience but pretending to be eternally physically young can sadly imply actual confusion and here that sadly seems to suggest Biden might benefit from a longer break rather than stepping back into the election battle.”
However, James asserted that she believed the President looked sincerely relaxed as he walked across the tarmac to board the flight home.
She said: “His smile in the photo as he performs a farewell handshake looks like one of genuine delight.
The President tightly gripped the handrail has he made his way into the plane
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“But the angle of the hands suggests this shake was not instigated by Biden and that he is responding to a prompt,” she continued.
Biden visited St Croix with his wife and granddaughter Natalie in a three-bedroom beachfront house owned by the Nevilles.
The villa included an in-ground pool and views of the Caribbean Sea and an offshore island.
Both Biden and his wife stayed at the property last year over the New Year’s holiday period.
However, the President’s decision to visit in late 2023 sparked a backlash from Republican lawmakers.
GOP figures claimed Biden’s Caribbean trip comes as the US continues to battle an unprecedented border crisis.
Donald Trump also used his New Year's message to blast Biden, saying: “I would like to wish an early New Year’s salutation to crooked Joe Biden and his group of radical left misfits and thugs on their never-ending attempt to destroy our nation through lawfare, invasion and rigging elections.”