Joe Biden appears to freeze again at fundraiser as Barack Obama helps him off stage

Joe Biden appeared to freeze on stage at a star-studded event, in the latest of a series of incidents that have sparked concerns over the US president’s wellbeing.

The 81-year-old was helped off stage by former president Barack Obama, following the incident at a campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

A video clip shows Mr Biden raising one arm to wave to the cheering crowd, before clapping and putting two thumbs up.

He then appears to freeze, and stands staring out at the auditorium while beside him Mr Obama continues waving and appears to begin leaving the stage.

He reaches out and takes Mr Biden by the wrist, before placing a hand on the president’s back and leading him off stage, smiling, while host Jimmy Kimmel trails behind them.

It is the latest in a series of similar episodes to befall Mr Biden in recent weeks, as the US election campaign gears up ahead of voters going to the polls on November 5.

Mr Biden appeared to freeze during a concert at the White House last week, held ahead of Juneteenth National Independence Day.

As Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and others danced energetically at the event, Mr Biden appeared to stand completely still for more than 20 seconds.

Philonise Floyd, brother of the late George Floyd, who was standing beside him then seemed to notice the president’s pause, and draped his arm around him.

Mr Biden seemed to slur his words during a speech given later at the same event.

Republicans have seized on the incidents amid claims of Biden’s cognitive decline.

“Lights are on but no one’s home,” the Trump campaign’s “war room” account posted on X following the Juneteenth incident.

The oldest president in US history, Mr Biden would be 86 by the end of a second term, should he win one in November.

His Republican rival Donald Trump was 70 when he took office in 2017, which made him the oldest US president to be inaugurated - until Mr Biden broke his record by being inaugurated at 78 in 2021.

Mr Trump is now 78 years old.

Voters are approaching this year's election with misgivings about Mr Biden's age, having scrutinised his gaffes, his coughing, his slow walking and even a tumble off his bicycle.

Mr Biden underwent his annual medical test, which lasted more than two-and-a-half hours, in February.

His physician Dr Kevin O’Connor said then Mr Biden “continues to be fit for duty” and was “healthy and robust”.

There were no signs of stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or other similar conditions in what the report called an "extremely detailed neurologic exam."