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Biden’s aides defended his debate performance, citing his limited optimal hours, Axios said.
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Biden’s aides told the publication that he performs best between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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Some blamed his poor performance on over-preparation of the aides, according to the Washington Post.
Joe Biden’s aides have defended his poor debate performance, saying he struggles to function outside of a six-hour window during the day, according to Axios.
The publication, citing people close to the president, said Biden works best between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Biden is more likely to make verbal errors and become fatigued outside of this period or while traveling abroad, according to anonymous staff members who spoke to Axios.
Business Insider was unable to independently verify the comments.
Biden’s aides have also come under fire. According to the Washington Post, some in Biden’s inner circle blamed his poor performance on overpreparation.
Others said too many aides were involved in his weeklong preparations at Camp David, the report said.
Biden and Trump faced off in their first debate of the year on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET in Atlanta.
Commentators and politicians called the debate disastrous for Biden and wondered whether he was too old for another term as president.
During parts of the debate, Biden, 81, made confusing statements and appeared to forget what he was saying mid-sentence. For example, when asked about the national debt, Biden stumbled and said, “We finally defeated Medicare.”
“For half of my career, I was criticized for being the youngest person in politics. I was the second-youngest person ever elected to the United States Senate — and now I’m the oldest,” Biden said when asked to express concerns about his age during the election debate.
His aides’ comments appear to contradict Biden’s own argument that age should not be a factor in the presidential race.
“My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation is not how old we are: it is how old our ideas are,” he said during the State of the Union address in March.
“You can’t start with old ideas that only take us back in time,” he added.
He made a similar point during an interview with MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle in May.
“I have acquired a tremendous amount of wisdom and know more than the vast majority of people,” he said. “And I have more experience than anyone who’s ever run for office. And I think I’ve proven that I’m honorable and also effective.”
Biden admitted his performance was poor, but downplayed its significance.
“I don’t walk as easily as I used to, I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to, I don’t debate as well as I used to,” he told the crowd in Raleigh, N.C.
“I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job, I know how to get things done,” he added.
Representatives for the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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