FORGETTING NUMBERS, CONFUSING LIBYA AND SYRIA, CALLING KAMALA ‘PRESIDENT’ AND HOT MIC BLUNDERS: BIDEN’S GAFFES THAT HAVE RAISED HEALTH CONCERNS
As the oldest person ever sworn in to the White House, President Joe Biden has faced questions and concerns over his mental as well as physical acuity since taking on one of the most stressful jobs in the world. But aside from his advanced age, Biden, 79, has worried even supporters with numerous gaffes over the year he’s been in office.
One of the most notable incidents occurred on January 24, 2022, when Biden called Fox News reporter Peter Doocy a “stupid son of a b****” after a question about inflation. The remarks were caught on a hot mic and drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Biden personally apologized to Doocy for the outburst.
Another gaffe came on March 8, 2022, during a speech when Biden struggled to remember Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s name. He referred to him as “the former general” multiple times before finally thanking him for his service. This was not an isolated incident, as Biden has had trouble with the names of his most senior officials, foreign leaders, and even countries.
Biden has also been known to mistakenly refer to Vice President Kamala Harris as the “president.” This happened during a commencement speech at South Carolina State University in December, and again during a voting rights speech in Georgia in January. These slips have raised concerns about Biden’s mental acuity and ability to differentiate between roles within his administration.
In addition to these verbal gaffes, Biden has also been prone to confusion when it comes to numbers and dates. During a campaign event in September 2020, Biden claimed that “200 million people have died” from COVID-19 under Donald Trump’s watch, when the actual number was around 200,000. He has also made errors when discussing COVID-19 vaccination numbers.
Biden’s physical health has also come into question, as he fell off his bike during a ride near his Rehoboth Beach home in Delaware on June 18, 2022. Videos captured the moment as he stumbled while trying to dismount and fell to the ground. While he did not suffer any visible injuries, the incident raised concerns about his physical abilities and overall well-being.
These gaffes and mishaps have led to comparisons between Biden and fictional characters like Ron Burgundy from the movie “Anchorman.” In one instance, Biden appeared to read directions off his teleprompter during a speech, prompting ridicule from critics.
Overall, these incidents have raised concerns about President Biden’s mental and physical fitness for office. As the oldest president in history, it is natural for these concerns to arise, but they highlight the need for transparency and open discussion about the health of our leaders.