President Joe Biden’s recent shoe choice has sparked speculation that he will wear more stable footwear to avoid his more frequent trips and falls ahead of the 2024 election.
A report from Inside Edition found that the sneakers Biden, 81, has been seen wearing over the past month are the Hoka Transporta “user-friendly” shoe for “performance”.
The laces feature a pulley mechanism allowing users to lace their shoes.
The Republican National Committee (RNC), under new Trump-aligned leadership, seized on the report and posted a video of it on RNC Research’s social media channels over the weekend.
“Biden’s handlers are making him wear a new pair of ‘lifestyle sneakers’ because he trips so much,” the account wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The bulky black shoes worth $150 were immediately noticed by observers who questioned the president’s choice of shoes with his suit when he left the White House last month.
The chunky black sneakers that President Joe Biden has seen at war in recent months are $150 Hoka “lifestyle” shoes called Transports.
The shoe features a chunky heel and pulley lace system and is marketed as a sneaker aimed at “commuters” and “city dwellers”.
CBS Inside Edition host Les Trent visited a shoe store to try on the Hoka sneaker.
“As you can see, they look pretty comfortable,” he said with the shoe now on his foot. “They have a fairly wide sole – definitely great for stability.”
“And the president has a history of stumbling,” Trent noted.
A Hoka Transport webpage lists the sneaker’s “stability” as “neutral” rather than “moderate or stable.”
“The Transport features a symmetrical cushion bed without additional prescriptive technologies. Designed to provide the support you want and nothing you don’t need,” reads a description of the sneaker’s features.
The Hoka shoe seems primarily intended for running around town.
The Transport website states: “Designed at the intersection of lifestyle and performance, this commuter-friendly style offers a host of durability features across the outsole, midsole and upper. Designed for the city dweller.
After President Biden was spotted wearing a pair of very sturdy sneakers last month, more speculation emerged that his aides were taking precautions to prevent him from taking a fall.
Biden’s frequent slips, trips and falls have increased speculation in recent years about his declining health and fitness for office as the 2024 election approaches in November.
President Joe Biden steps off Marine One upon arriving at the White House last month to speak with reporters – donning his Hoka sneakers.
The sneakers have a pulley mechanism for the laces so wearers don’t have to tie their shoes and cost $150.
President Joe Biden, right, and first lady Jill Biden arrive at the White House on February 19, 2024 with Biden wearing chunky black sneakers with a blue suit.
On February 19, Biden was spotted leaving the White House to board Marine One wearing sturdy, all-black, thick-soled sneakers, now known as Hokas, paired with his blue suit.
Shoe company Hoka was founded in France but its global headquarters is now located in the United States. They mainly manufacture their shoes in Vietnam and China.
Online reviewers praise the shoes for being “super comfortable” despite their bulky appearance and “easy to put on and take off.”
This isn’t the first time President Biden has caused a stir with his shoe choice
Last summer, the president was spotted wearing a pair of sneakers aboard Air Force One during a trip to a NATO summit. The president wore a pair of slip-on Skechers without socks, prompting photographers to take notice.
Biden started wearing sneakers more often after tripping on a sandbag and falling sprawled on stage during a 2023 Air Force Academy commencement ceremony.
Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, holds gold Trump sneakers at Sneaker Con Philadelphia
Democrats fear that Biden is just a bad fall from a serious injury that could jeopardize the future of his presidency.
The president’s allies have urged him to walk shorter distances on camera and also endorsed the idea of wearing more comfortable shoes to make his appearance less stiff and stabilize him while he walks.
Biden has also begun using the small staircase to board Air Force One and has a military aide waiting at the bottom of the stairs to monitor his entry and exit.
The president fractured his foot shortly after the 2020 presidential election, as he was forced to wear an orthopedic boot for several days. At the time, Biden said he got out of the shower and tripped on a rug while pulling his dog’s tail.
Since then, Biden’s gait has become jerkier and stiffer. Biden also refused to wear an orthopedic boot for a long time, according to the New York Times, which likely had an effect on his posture.
President Joe Biden began taking a shorter staircase to the lower entrance of Air Force One after repeatedly tripping on the longer staircase. Pictured: Biden and first lady Jill Biden board Air Force One at Philadelphia International Airport on February 3, 2024.
Biden’s physical stumbles and missteps only add to questions about his age as a growing number of Americans question whether he should run for office.
Polls show Americans are increasingly concerned that Biden is no longer mentally or physically fit to hold office.
An ABC News/Ipsos poll taken earlier this year shows that 86% of Americans think Biden is too old for another term.
Biden showed off his new shoes for the first time just hours after former President Donald Trump personally unveiled three sets of TRUMP-branded sneakers last month at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
One pair, the “Never Surrender” model, is sparkling gold and accented with red, white and blue and costs $399.