US President Joe Biden, who is under intense scrutiny due to his advanced age, made a significant blunder on Thursday at a NATO event by introducing Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Later, during a solo press conference in Washington, he mistakenly referred to his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as “Vice President Trump.”
At the NATO summit on July 10, Biden, 81, stated, “And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination, ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” causing gasps in the room. He quickly corrected himself, saying, “Going to beat President Putin, President Zelensky. I am so focused on beating Putin.” Zelensky responded with, “I am better [than Putin],” to which Biden replied, “You are a hell of a lot better,” prompting laughter before Zelensky began his address.
Leaders at the NATO summit fielded questions about Biden’s gaffe, with many offering supportive responses. French President Emmanuel Macron remarked, “We all slip up sometimes. It’s happened to me and it could happen again tomorrow. I would ask for your indulgence.”
Later, during a solo press conference, Biden was repeatedly questioned about concerns over his age and candidacy. He responded, “I’ve gotta finish the job.” However, in another embarrassing slip, he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.” Biden stated, “Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if she was not qualified to be president. So start there.”
Former President Donald Trump quickly seized on the verbal stumble, posting on Truth Social to highlight the moment. “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!” Trump wrote, along with a video clip of the moment.
Biden’s re-election campaign has faced difficulties in the past two weeks, following his debate performance against Trump, who is 78 years old. Additionally, four more Democrats in the House of Representatives—Brad Schneider of Illinois, Greg Stanton of Arizona, Ed Case of Hawaii, and Hillary Scholten of Michigan—called on Biden to end his campaign. Stanton stated, “For our country’s sake, it is time for the President to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.”
Some Senate Democrats have also expressed uncertainty about Biden’s ability to win after meeting with Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and other top aides.
