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Biden cancels nine trips, plans to remain in hiding in Delaware

July 23, 2024 | | Print Article

Swirling concerns over the absentee president saw a schedule update for his White House return after canceling nine trips.

While Republicans gathered at their convention to officially nominate former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as the 2024 ticket, President Joe Biden was abruptly whisked off to Delaware from Las Vegas Wednesday. Since then, amid updates on treatment for COVID, the incumbent ended his bid for a second term on social media, wiped his calendar, and is now expected to make his first appearance after nearly a week.

According to the president’s publicly posted schedule, Biden was expected to depart his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware just after noon Tuesday at which time he would travel to Joint Base Andrews in Dover for the return flight to Washington, D.C.

He was expected to be back at the White House by 2:30 p.m., after which he was scheduled to receive his daily briefing.

Previously, the New York Post reported, based on information from a White House source, that after the campaign suspension, Biden had extended his stay in Delaware and wasn’t expected to come back until Wednesday.

“They started canceling stuff when he announced he wasn’t seeking reelection,” the source said. “He was supposed to leave today to start the West Coast trip, but they extended his stay in Rehoboth until the 24th.”

Amounting to nine trips over two weeks, Biden was also supposed to have a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the visiting dignitary’s address to Congress, but neither he nor newly-dubbed presumptive Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris was present to meet him upon his arrival to the United States.

Another anticipated trip for the president had been a visit to Houston, Texas to survey the damage from Hurricane Beryl. However, during a Sunday news conference, Houston Mayor John Whitmire (D) revealed that Thursday’s trip had been canceled.

“I don’t know if the press knows it, but, President Biden was going to be here Thursday to recognize our preparation,” the mayor said before following up with a post on X Monday. “Given recent events, @HoustonTX understands but is disappointed @POTUS will not visit this week to assess Hurricane Beryl recovery. We are deeply grateful for the timely call from Mr. Biden after the storm, and his support is proving invaluable in addressing our long-term needs.”

According to the report from the Post, Biden’s next scheduled trip was set for July 31 with Harris to a “yet to be disclosed location.” Following that, he was expected to travel to Chicago, after which his schedule remained clear until the Democratic National Convention was slated to begin on August 19.

Meanwhile, as the president had not been seen and was heard from for the first time since withdrawing from the public eye Monday during Harris’ first rally via a call-in, commentators and public officials alike were demanding proof of life to ensure that the administration was not covering up a malady worse than had been reported.

Among them was Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert (R) who referenced an update from White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor on the president’s treatment as she said, “A letter from a doctor is not proof of life. For the third time today, I’m asking Joe Biden to provide the American people with proof of life.”

Kevin Haggerty
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