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Biden stumbles on Air Force One stairs, Internet asks if media will mock him like they did when Trump 'stumbled’

Many conservatives latched on to the moment to call out mainstream media, saying had it been Trump they'd have played the clip on loop

President Joe Biden appeared to stumble as he walked up the stairs to board Air Force One on Monday. Biden had just alighted from his vehicle on the tarmac at New Castle Air National Guard Base in Delaware for a trip back to Washington, D.C. As he climbed the stairs, he held onto the railing with his right hand while holding something in the left. The President lost his footing on the fifth step, but regained his composure immediately after.

The outlet noted how the 78-year-old commander in chief often tries to demonstrate his physical prowess by jogging to the podium before a speech or in parades. In October, Biden was spotted trotting to the podium during a rally in Iowa. 

The future president was then seen jogging down a ramp just days later to deliver his victory speech in Delaware.

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However, some social media users poked fun at Biden's stumble, while others called the media out for not making "a huge deal" about it as it may have with former President Donald J. Trump. "He’ll get an escalator installed," one quipped.

"Where was Jill? She should have been helping him up those steps," another added. "Remember when the media made a huge deal about President Trump walking down the steps at the ceremony at West Point last year? Well, you won't find any of those same "journalists" making an issue of this with Biden. They're out to lunch. It's revolting," a third chimed in. "I hope CNN will make this a thing. Like they ran, on loop, Trump trying to come down Air force one with aid," a fourth added.

In September 2020, just months before Election Day, Biden claimed he was fitter than Trump both mentally and physically to lead the country. He asked the American public to look at him and Trump and decide which one was in better shape. During an interview with CNN, Biden said, "When it comes to Donald Trump versus me: Just look at us. Okay? Just look at us. Who seems to be in shape? Who’s able to move around?" 

Trump had even nicknamed Biden as 'Sleepy Joe' with Biden laughing off the comment, vowing to release any information regarding his health. "This idea of slow Joe — anyway, Donald Trump, just look at us both, watch us, and determine whether or not you think I’m misleading anyone — not you personally, but the public," Biden said at the time. "I guarantee you I will be totally transparent in terms of my health and all aspects of my health," he added. 

In August last year, Biden appeared to take offense after being asked whether or not he had taken a cognitive test. He countered the question by asking the interviewer if he would pass a drug test and stumbled over his words multiple times. During a conversation with CBS News’ Errol Barnett at a virtual event with the National Association of Black Journalists, Biden was asked if he had taken a test to assess his mental fitness. “No, I haven’t taken a test! Why the hell would I take a test? C’mon, man!” the future president snapped in response. “That’s like saying you, before you got in this program, if you take a test where you’re taking cocaine or not, what do you think? Huh? Are you a junkie?” he added.

However, he later declared: "I think it's a legitimate question to ask anybody over 70 years old whether or not they're fit and whether they're ready. But I just, only thing I can say to the American people, it's a legitimate question to ask anybody. Watch me."