Biden, 81, 'constantly using cheat sheets at private fundraisers has alarmed Democratic donors': Wealthy backers say he even refers to notes when taking questions AWAY from the press

President Joe Biden has long brandished notecards at the White House and in sit-downs with world leaders, but now donors are throwing a flag on his use of the cheat sheets even in closed-door private events.

Biden has already broken with the traditional expectation that donors writing big checks to his campaign are entitled to a more off-the-cuff version of the president during closed-door fundraisers.

The president has repeatedly relied on a teleprompter in those settings, sometimes giving versions of his public speeches inside well-appointed homes, as he did during a fundraising swing through California this week. (Press cameras are usually not present, however).

Those frank exchanges are one reason donors plunk down as much as $3,300 and flock to events to get brief face time with the president. 

Some donors are squawking at the president's use of note cards even during question and answer sessions that the White House following the more staged remarks, where Biden allows a press pool to be present.

It has been 'raising concerns among some donors about Biden's age,' Axios reported, leaving some donors 'wondering whether Biden can withstand the rigors of a presidential campaign.'

In the cards: Biden has long relied on note cards during public events. He also uses them at closed door fundraisers, frustrating donors

Past presidents have relied on notes, and Biden's use of special note cards traces back to his time as vice president and senator, even featuring in a report by Special Counsel Robert Hur that described Biden as an 'elderly man' who struggled to remember key details from his life. 

Despite the grousing, Biden might be able to laugh all the way to the bank: he ended the month with $130 million cash-on-hand in campaign accounts, giving him an opportunity to try to pound rival Donald Trump on television.

The parts of Biden's fundraisers often hit the same message Biden is driving home in public, sometimes sprinkled with low-key jokes. Occasionally Biden goes off the cuff and makes news in the less formal setting.

'You know, we’ve made clear from day one of our administration that we believe in science, which the other guy is not quite sure exists,' Biden said at a Los Altos fundraiser Thursday, earning laughs. 'But, you know, think of if he had moved on the pandemic earlier, how many people -- how many chairs would not be empty at kitchen tables these days.'

On message: Aides print out details cards that Biden can consult when he goes before the cameras or leads meetings

Carded: The habit isn't new for the 81-year old president. He relied on cards as vice president and senator

In one embarrassing episode, Biden got caught flashing a card with a reporter he woudl call on, with instructions on how to pronounce her name and the gist of a question the White House anticipated he might get asked

On a roll: The White House has been lining up impromptu engagements, like one in Delaware Sunday, amid public polls showing concerns about Biden's age

He joked at the top of a big bucks San Francisco fundraiser: 'For the longest time after being elected, I’d hear “Hail to the Chief” played, and I’d turn around and wonder: Where the hell was he?'

Prior presidents also relied on note cards. And first lady Jill Biden, 72, also could be seen with notecards Friday. 

The White House may have calculated that any grief Biden gets for relying on notes could only be amplified for what he might say without them. In recent weeks, it is when he went off script that Biden stepped in it – mixing up Egypt and Mexico at one event, and repeatedly mixing up world leaders at others, even name dropping foreign leaders who have passed away.