During a Juneteenth celebration at the White House on Monday, President Biden, aged 81, appeared momentarily frozen in place.
Video footage captured Biden standing motionless while those around him, including Vice President Kamala Harris, engaged in applause and danced to the music. For approximately 30 seconds, Biden remained seemingly unaffected, his gaze fixed and unyielding.
The situation shifted when Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd whose death sparked nationwide riots and unrest in 2020, noticed Biden’s stance and approached him. As Floyd placed his arm around the president, Biden’s demeanor softened into a smile. The two exchanged words, culminating in a fist bump.
Critics, particularly Republicans aiming to spotlight the president’s age in the lead-up to the 2024 election, swiftly seized upon the incident. However, the White House has yet to offer a response to inquiries regarding the matter.