Joe Biden: What Went Wrong?
- Jordan Graham
- Jul 22, 2024
- 4 min read
Well, folks, it’s official. Joe Biden, the man who was set to take on Trump for a rematch in the 2024 presidential race, has called it quits.
For many people, Joe Biden's win over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election felt like a huge sigh of relief—a long-needed break after four chaotic years. In his historic victory speech, Biden made a point to highlight his wife by saying, "I'm Jill's husband," showing his respect and gratitude.
He also expressed his appreciation for the African American community and emphasized his goal to be a president for all Americans—not just for blue states or red states, but for the entire United States. However, as time passed since that eloquent acceptance speech, Biden's speeches began to lose that calming effect.
While he still has his strong moments as a speaker, more often than not, his public addresses leave you holding your breath.
For months, the world has been questioning Joe Biden’s fitness for a second term as President of the United States. Despite this, Biden plunged into a campaign battle against former President Donald Trump. However, with just four months remaining before Americans head to the polls, Biden announced on X last night that he is stepping down from the election.
So in case you needed a dose of second-hand embarrassment (or mild inspiration) tonight, here are Joe Biden’s best and worst bits... as President as the United States of America.
Rootin' Tootin' Putin
Mixing up the presidents of Ukraine and Russia? Now that's a major gaffe. Biden made his latest blunder during his closing remarks at the NATO summit in Washington this week, confusing the invader with the invaded in front of hundreds of diplomats and dignitaries.
Although he quickly corrected himself, saying, "President Putin? He's gonna beat President Putin!" he soon made another slip, accidentally referring to political opponent Trump as his own vice-president. This isn't Biden's only blunder of this kind—he's also mixed up the presidents of Mexico and Egypt.
2. ‘You Try Your Breast’
Oh, Joe. It happens to the breast of us.
During a campaign speech in Pennsylvania, Biden shared the relatable American struggle of “trying your breast, but it’s never enough.” Naturally, this slip of the tongue led to a fair amount of ridicule.
One commenter on the clip gave him some slack, writing, “I can’t really blame him, he’s been in the Senate for 180 years now.”
3. ‘Poor Kids are Just as Bright as White Kids’
At a campaign event for Asian and Hispanic voters in 2020, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden had a classic foot-in-mouth moment. He stated, “Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids,” clearly intending to say “wealthy kids.” Realising his mistake, he backtracked, adding, “Black kids, Asian kids.”
All in all, it wasn’t his best look. Apologies, once again, to Biden’s PR person.
4. Catching Z's
In a memorable moment at the Cop26 Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021, Joe Biden was caught “resting his eyes” during an opening speech. Thankfully, his quick-thinking aide rushed over to wake him up, pretending to whisper something crucial in his ear.
A foghorn might have been equally effective.
5. Getting Lost on Stage at the UN Assembly
After delivering a speech to the UN Assembly, Joe Biden experienced a moment of confusion while trying to exit the stage. He stopped, turned back around, and ultimately stood still with his hands clasped, looking rather lost. For many, this is the stuff of nightmares.
6. That Time He Had Something on His Chin
In July 2021, during a filmed wildfire strategy meeting at the White House, Biden's aides noticed he had a bit of muck on his chin. Instead of going for the classic "mum thumb wipe," they discreetly passed him a note. Unfortunately, Biden opened it the wrong way round, revealing the message to everyone: "Sir, there is something on your chin."
He then subtly stroked his chin to remove the offending grub. So close, yet so visible!
7. ‘She Was 12, I Was 30’
One of Biden's most head-scratching gaffes came during a 2022 speech to a group of teachers. Spotting a familiar face in the audience, he interrupted himself to say, "You gotta say hi to me. We go back a long way. She was 12, I was 30. But anyway, this woman helped me get an awful lot done."
It's as if he doesn't even hear the words coming out of his mouth sometimes.
8. Man Down on Air Force One
Verbal stumbles aren't the only hazards for President Biden. Earlier this year, he was seen tripping not once but twice while making his way up the steps to Air Force One.
9. Dazed and Confused
Another blunder saw President Biden repeatedly and spectacularly stumble over his words at a White House event commemorating the end of slavery in the US. Clips showed the president struggling so much that his sentences weren’t actually understandable, slurring heavily between otherwise coherent but thinly connected phrases.
10. When He Fell Off His Bike
In a scene that could have been ripped straight from the first episode of The West Wing, President Biden took a tumble off his bike while attempting to dismount during a cycling trip in Delaware with Jill to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. “I’m good,” he insisted, as he was helped up off the ground.
Thank you, Joe! It's been a memorable four years. Congratulations on everything you have achieved, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Who do you think will be the next leader of the Democratic Party?
Kamala Harris
JB Pritzker
Gretchen Whitmer
Josh Shapiro
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