Joe Biden found himself in a bit of a pickle during his recent “Big Boy” press conference. After being nearly an hour late to the event, he was asked about a rather embarrassing mistake he made when he referred to Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.” Despite his attempt to cleverly respond, the whole situation quickly went up in flames.
BIDEN: "VICE PRESIDENT TRUMP" pic.twitter.com/ERHH4GuFGS
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 11, 2024
Let’s set the scene: President Biden, fresh off calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “President Putin,” was already on shaky ground. Enter NBC’s Peter Alexander, stage right, with a straightforward question about Biden’s slip-up. “You referred to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump. Right now Donald Trump is using that to mock your age and your memory. How do you combat that criticism from tonight?”
Biden, clearly trying to muster a witty comeback, offered this gem: “Listen to him.” If that sentence left you scratching your head, you’re not alone.
.@PeterAlexander: "You referred to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump. Right now Donald Trump is using that to mock your age and your memory. How do you combat that criticism from tonight?
President Biden: "Listen to him." pic.twitter.com/hJPpXbvDFi
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 12, 2024
Biden’s attempt to zing back at Trump not only misfired but also provided plenty of fodder for the former President and his supporters. Trump, never one to miss a beat, took to Truth Social to mock Biden’s gaffe, posting: “Crooked Joe begins his ‘Big Boy’ Press Conference with, ‘I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.’ Great job, Joe!”
The saga didn’t end there. The internet erupted with memes and posts highlighting Biden’s blunder, with many questioning the President’s mental acuity and ability to handle the pressures of office. In a world where every word is scrutinized, Biden’s mistake became the headline rather than any policy announcements or political strategy discussed during the presser.
But let’s be honest, this isn’t just about one slip of the tongue. It speaks to a larger narrative where Biden’s age and cognitive abilities are frequently targeted by critics. Even friendly fire from his own mistakes adds fuel to the opposition’s fire. This particular incident was more than just a mix-up; it was a crystallizing moment in a series of verbal faux pas that have put the President under a microscope.
Meanwhile, Biden’s supporters rushed to his defense, arguing that a single mistake shouldn’t overshadow the administration’s accomplishments. They pointed out that even seasoned politicians are prone to occasional gaffes, and what really matters are the policies and actions taken in office.