In a series of videos circulating on social media and published by news outlets, allies, family members, and even a foreign leader have been seen stepping in to assist President Biden during public events, raising concerns about his cognitive state. The most recent incident occurred at a campaign donor event in Los Angeles, where former President Obama guided Biden off the stage as they stood alongside late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.

The footage shows Obama reaching over and taking hold of Biden's wrist before placing his hand on the current president's back and leading him towards the stage's exit. This moment brought a renewed wave of criticism online, with some questioning Biden's mental acuity and making jokes likening the scene to a senior care home advertisement. However, the Biden campaign managed to raise an impressive $30 million from the star-studded fundraiser, with support coming from Hollywood stars like George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

This incident is just one among many that have been captured on video in recent months, showing allies, aides, and family members seemingly directing or guiding Biden offstage or during events. The scrutiny over the president's age and cognitive state was also underscored during his visit to Italy, where he met with Pope Francis and attended the G-7 summit to discuss additional funding for Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia.

During the G-7 summit, a video circulated of Biden standing with world leaders while parachutists landed around them. In the footage, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni can be seen redirecting Biden back to the group after he took a few steps away. The White House dismissed any concerns about the incident, stating that the video used a "narrow frame" to hide the fact that Biden had just witnessed a skydiving demonstration and was congratulating one of the divers.

These high-profile incidents within a week have only amplified concerns about the 81-year-old president's cognitive state. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the videos of Biden appearing to freeze at public events, dismissing them as "disinformation" promoted by right-wing critics. However, questions about Biden's mental fitness have been prevalent throughout his presidency, with former President Trump frequently criticizing him for garbled language and instances of confusion on stage.

The controversy surrounding Biden's cognitive state reached a pinnacle earlier this year when a special counsel report investigating his handling of classified documents concluded that he was a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. The findings sparked outrage, with critics arguing that if he was deemed too cognitively impaired to be charged with a crime, he should not be serving as president.

The White House spokesperson Andrew Bates dismissed the videos depicting others directing Biden during public events as routine moments for any president. He labeled them as "cheap fakes" created by discredited right-wing groups who couldn't contend with the president's record and agenda. Bates also mentioned that mainstream, nonpartisan reporters have fact-checked and debunked similar depictions.

Biden's history of being guided offstage or during events includes footage showing First Lady Jill Biden directing him during a Women's History Month reception and leading him off a stage during a Christmas season event with the United States Marine Corps Reserve. These instances, along with others like reading teleprompter instructions and abruptly leaving press conferences, have raised eyebrows and contributed to the ongoing scrutiny over his cognitive abilities.

The Wall Street Journal recently published a report detailing concerns from lawmakers and administration officials about Biden's mental state during meetings, which further fueled speculation about his age impacting his performance as the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. The White House dismissed the report, attributing it to partisan politics and highlighting Biden's record of legislative accomplishment.

As controversy and speculation persist, Biden's supporters, including Jill Biden, continue to defend his age and emphasize his character and capabilities as a leader. The upcoming months will likely continue to shed light on this ongoing debate, as the president navigates his first term amid growing scrutiny over his mental acuity.