President Joe Biden’s recent choice of footwear has drawn increased scrutiny and speculation about potential measures being taken to keep him upright during the 2024 campaign.
The 81-year-old president has been spotted wearing chunky black Hoka Transport sneakers while dressed in suits.
The $150 shoes, described as “commuter-friendly” and designed for “performance,” feature thick soles and a pulley lace system that allows the wearer to put them on without having to bend over and tie the laces.
An Inside Edition report examined the sneakers and highlighted that they help seniors with stability and support.
“As you can see, they look quite comfortable,” host Les Trent said while trying them on. “They have quite a wide sole – no doubt, great for stability. And the President does have a history of stumbling.”
Though the shoemaker markets the Transport as having “neutral” stability rather than moderate or enhanced steadiness, their rugged build has prompted speculation Biden uses them to provide greater traction and reduce his risk of falling.
Biden’s frequent stumbles, slips, and falls over recent years have fueled discussions about his age and physical capacity as he mounts a re-election bid.
Republicans have seized on the viral moments, with the Republican National Committee sharing the Inside Edition report and accusing Biden’s “handlers” of forcing him into sturdier shoes “because he trips so much.”
Take a look —
Biden's handlers are forcing him to wear a new pair of "lifestyle sneakers" because he trips so much pic.twitter.com/dNXwsDHCCQ
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 17, 2024
The White House has not commented on Biden’s motivations for the new shoes. However, allies who have encouraged Biden to take precautions like walking shorter distances on camera and wearing comfortable shoes to stabilize his gait.
Biden has used a shorter staircase when boarding Air Force One after several highly scrutinized stumbles on the longer primary staircase early in his presidency. An aide is also regularly posted at the stairs to monitor Biden’s movements.
While the Hoka sneakers provide more cushioning and traction, their bulky style contrasts with typical dress footwear donned by past presidents. Their adoption has only further amplified questions from critics about Biden’s fitness for office and judgment in seeking a second term at his advanced age.
Polling shows the vast majority of Americans believe Biden is far too old to continue serving, with his team facing pressure to directly confront doubts about his mental fitness ahead of a grueling re-election campaign.
FLASHBACK: Joe Biden falls down stairs
The Horn editorial team