Joe Biden’s brutal four-month campaign schedule revealed — as doctors question if his body can handle it
Hillary Clinton described the presidential campaign as so brutal to the body and mind that you’d have to be “crazy” to continue it.
Joe Biden, 81, has four months to convince Americans to vote for him over Donald Trump. Doctors fear the consequences for the ailing president’s health.
Between last month’s disastrous debate, which led to calls for Biden to resign, and Election Night on Nov. 5, Biden will have traveled more than 15,000 miles. That’s a conservative estimate based on his known schedule and comments from his team.
He has also given more than 100 public and private lectures, and his staff has said the president will continue an “aggressive” travel schedule, not to mention his Sept. 10 rematch with Trump.
But doctors tell DailyMail.com that the stress, jet lag and disrupted sleep and nutrition could worsen the president’s neurological or physical problems.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, chief medical advisor for Fortune Recommends Health, told this website: ‘When it comes to travel, our body’s ability to adapt and recover decreases as we age.
‘A busy travel and event schedule can have significant negative effects on the health of older adults.
The stress that comes from such a demanding schedule increases the risk of heart problems, such as high blood pressure, hypertension, heart attacks or strokes.
‘A lack of rest and self-care can exacerbate existing health problems.’
Other health risks that arise from an irregular schedule include dehydration, poor nutrition, and a weakened immune system.
Dr Kevin Huffman, founder of Ambari Nutrition, told DailyMail.com that stress while travelling can also lead to higher blood pressure and an increased risk of blood clots, which can increase the risk of stroke.
He said jet lag from multiple flights a day combined with a busy schedule of public appearances can cause anxiety and confusion.
Dr. Huffman added: ‘The anxiety and confusion caused by disorienting situations and excessive demands are particularly dangerous in older patients with mild cognitive delay, who can be easily overwhelmed by unfamiliar routines.’
The president already suffers from a number of pre-existing health problems, including sleep apnea, acid reflux, an irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, allergies, arthritis and nerve damage in his feet.
Biden looking sharp (left) during a debate for the Democratic nomination in 2019 and the ailing president in 2024
Biden looking slick in 1991 (left) versus last month’s debate against Donald Trump (right)
In the 10 days following Biden’s dismal debate with 77-year-old former President Donald Trump, Biden mounted an unprecedented campaign to assuage concerns about his age and mental acuity.
After months of limited interviews and limited appearances, he visited nine states and attended multiple campaign events.
But several gaffes and moments of confusion — including a claim that he was the first black woman to become president — have not convinced people that Biden is ready for a campaign challenge.
Despite the concerns, White House staff continues to insist the president is up to the challenge.
Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre assured reporters Monday that Biden is healthy, but stressed that a Parkinson’s expert who has visited the White House several times was not there to assess the president.
And White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby defended the president after his performance at the debate, telling reporters he never doubted his clarity or executive powers.
Over the next two weeks, Biden will attend events in Michigan, Texas and Nevada.
In total, the president has visited 13 states and traveled at least 7,400 miles in the three weeks since his failed debate.
He attended and spoke at 23 different events and was on the road for approximately 20 hours.
Biden in his heyday (left) and a video of the president looking blank on the White House lawn in June, which sparked concern
Biden’s campaign schedule after July 17 has not yet been confirmed, but his campaign team has indicated that the president plans to visit all of the swing states before the polls open in November.
These states are: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
DailyMail.com estimated that Biden would fly an additional mileage if he traveled from the White House to each swing state capital, logging an additional 4,500 miles and 20 hours on Air Force One.
He will also fly approximately 600 miles from Washington, DC to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, which runs August 19-22.
Biden will also need to prepare and travel for his second debate with Trump on Sept. 10. A location has not yet been announced.
The campaign has said it plans to maintain an “aggressive” travel schedule and impromptu events and interviews, which could mean squeezing even more events into its already extensive travel plans.
This conservative estimate means that by Election Day, Biden will have flown at least 40 hours, covering a distance of at least 15,000 miles, since participating in the June debate.
GP Dr Laura Purdy told DailyMail.com that Biden’s campaign could overwhelm him, increase his mental burden and cause stress
More than 70 percent of likely voters believe President Joe Biden should take a cognitive test, an exclusive DailyMail.com poll conducted after the debate found
Dr Dasgupta told DailyMail.com: ‘Overall, such a schedule can be very taxing on an older person’s health and requires careful management. Not to mention all the circadian rhythm disruptions and stress that can add up, leading to travel fatigue, leaving you feeling groggy, grumpy and exhausted.’
In the past two months, Biden has attended 89 events, including 54 in May and 32 in June, according to a log of his campaign activities by The New York Times.
Since May 1, he has held two rallies, attended 16 fundraisers and given seven speeches.
In addition, Biden has had thirteen interviews in the past two months.
While Biden’s schedule appears packed, it is historically light compared to previous presidents.
Compared to the three incumbent presidents who ran for re-election before him, Biden attended the second fewest campaign events in the first half of the election year: 90.
In 2004, former President George W. Bush, then 57 years old, traveled to 102 events and in 2012, former President Barack Obama, then 42 years old, traveled to 120 events between January and June of the election year, according to a study by Axios.
Biden’s light schedule is adding to growing concerns that he is unfit for the job. His frequent and repeated freezing attacks, memory lapses and thinking errors continue to worry voters, with Democratic lawmakers even calling for Biden to be removed from the race.
Responding to these calls, Biden doubled down, writing a letter to Democratic leaders indicating he would not resign, instead insisting his poor debate performance was due to a cold and lack of sleep.
Biden’s campaign has announced that the president will no longer host events after 8 p.m. from now on, so that he can get more rest.
Lack of sleep, especially in old age, can lead to spikes in blood pressure, extra strain on the heart, and reduced cognition and concentration. People may also feel confused, delirious, and emotional.
Lack of sleep can negatively impact certain areas of the brain. This can be a particular problem for older adults who are experiencing cognitive decline or dementia.
The doctors also told DailyMail.com that the busy travel schedule could lead to a weakened immune system, potentially exposing Biden to a virus or germ.
It is often difficult to eat enough and exercise enough when you travel from city to city. Experts told this website that this can lead to poor diet and weight gain, which increases the risk of obesity and diabetes.
