Senior Biden officials appeared trying awkwardly to remain expressionless when the commander-in-chief referred to Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” during Thursday’s “big boy” press conference at the NATO Summit.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan were seated in the front row for Biden’s error-laden debacle at the Washington Convention Center.
Look, I wouldnt have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I think shes not qualified to be president, the 81-year-old told reporters. 5 Senior officials for President Biden appeared to be making their best effort to remain emotionless during a night full of slip-ups for the commander and chiefs. REUTERS
Blinken who praised his boss for restoring global confidence in the US days after his disastrous debate against Trump closed his eyes and dropped his head slightly when the president made the major mix-up on the world stage.
Sullivan appeared to be trying his best to contain his emotions, putting his hand up to his mouth before balling it into a fist and resting it on his chin in what could be perceived as disbelief over the statement.
Austin was the only Biden official who did not appear to be in any discomfort over the presidents remarks, sitting stoned-faced during Bidens mishap — evening slightly nodding his head at one point.
The call for Biden not to seek reelection has accelerated among congressional Democrats, who believe running with the 81-year-old president will only secure a victory for former President Trump, who is expected to be the Republican nominee. 5 (L-R) Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan were seated in the front row for Biden’s error-laden debacle at the Washington Convention Center. C-Span 5 Austin (C) was the only Biden official who did not appear to be in any discomfort over the president’s remarks. C-Span
Following the humiliating inaccuracy, Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Eric Sorensen, and Rep. Scott Peters became the latest Democrats to publicly plea for Biden to retire after his term ends.
Before Bidens press conference, fourteen House Democrats urged Biden to drop out of the presidential race.
Trump quickly ridiculed his potential opponent over the mistake in a statement on social media.
Crooked Joe begins his Big Boy Press Conference with, I wouldnt have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president. Great job, Joe! The 78-year-old ex-president wrote. What to know about the fallout from President Biden's debate performance: President Biden’s poor performance in the first 2024 presidential debate left some Democrats unsure of his fitness for office and future as the party’s candidate. Biden told a crowd at a North Carolina rally the day after the debate that he doesn’t “debate as well as I used to” but insisted that he can still “do this job.” The New York Times editorial board called on the president to serve the country by dropping out of the race. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a similar editorial a day later. In a pre-taped interview with ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos, Biden claimed that his “bad episode” at the debate was the result of a cold and not any cognitive issues. Biden has rejected calls for him to step down from fellow Democrats, insisting to Stephanopoulos that he is the most qualified to win the election. At a Wisconsin rally, he declared that he is “running and going to win again.” Ten congressional Democrats have joined in calling for Biden’s exit from the race. Former Biden supporter George Clooney echoed these calls in an op-ed published in the New York Times just weeks after he helped lead a record-breaking fundraiser for the Democrat. Democratic voters have continued to raise concerns about Biden’s nomination since the debate, with speculations and suggestions for replacement nominees running rampant.
Trump is ahead of Biden by 4 points, and less than a quarter of Americans believe the incumbent is mentally sharp, according to a poll released by the Pew Research Center on Thursday.
It wasnt Bidens only presidential mix-up during his big boy press conference, which Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly referred to the event.
Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as his enemy, Russian President Volodymyr Putin, on stage Thursday evening, causing some in the crowd to gasp in disbelief.
And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination, a fragile-looking Biden announced. Ladies and gentlemen, President [Vladimir] Putin. 5 President Biden introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Volodymyr Putin at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Chris Kleponis – Pool via CNP / MEGA
World leaders onstage appeared unsure whether to clap to welcome Zelensky or wait for Biden to correct himself.
One audience member shouted, Zelensky! to correct the aging president.
Zelensky shrugged off the flub as he took the podium to praise NATO.
Biden quickly apologized for the embarrassing gaffe, saying it happened because he was so focused on beating the Kremlin strongman. 5
Bidens evening of simple slipups comes as leaders of 19 other nations gathered to announce the signing of the Ukraine Compact, a new security agreement between Kyiv and the US, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The president also had trouble pronouncing the word neurologist while claiming he wouldnt seek another cognitive exam unless doctors asked for one as speculation has arisen that the 81-year-old may have Parkinsons disease or a related condition.
Biden claimed he last saw neurologist Dr. Kevin Cannard in February, despite Jean-Pierre saying the visit was in January.
