He's been absent now more than he's been available. Those appearances have been tightly controlled, very few opportunities for the press to ask serious questions. Mainly the TV 'sofa' type interviews, or tame journalists given access. Or just statements to camera. Brilliant manipulation. Accompanied by high personal poll ratings.
(Elinor Elliot)
"You'll notice that he will be much talked about in his absence: his every message pored over in the press, the minutiae of his recovery discussed and dissected by right wing hacks. He will have a kind of chimerical presence in a space where fantasy and personality cult can grow."
"All orders were now issued through Squealer or one of the other pigs. Napoleon himself was not seen in public as often as once in a fortnight"
Orwell-Animal Farm