Biden's twin gaffes at NATO: Calls Volodymyr Zelensky as Putin, Kamala Harris as Trump
Biden's twin gaffes at NATO: At a NATO event on Thursday, US President Joe Biden accidentally called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "President Putin."
This slip-up has raised further concerns about Biden's age and ability to serve another term.
Biden was with 32 allies and foreign leaders to announce the "Ukraine Compact," a new initiative to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, when he made the error while inviting Zelenskyy to speak.
"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." he said.
BIDEN: "Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin" ???? pic.twitter.com/pId2QZ3Ao0 — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 11, 2024
Responding to a question over his remarks confusing Zelenskyy with Putin, Biden said, "Did you see any damage to our stand in my leading this conference? Have you seen a more successful conference? What do you think? And the Putin piece, I was talking about Putin and I said, "and now at the very end, I said here, I mean Putin. I said, no, I'm sorry, Zelenskyy". Then I added five other names."
"Look, guys, the idea anybody suggests that we haven't had an incredibly successful conference, how many times did you hear in that conference? I know it sounds too self-serving, but other leaders, and heads of state in thanking me, saying the reason we're together is because of Biden, because Biden did the following. It was the most successful conference I've attended in a long time and find me a world leader who didn't think it was," he added.
After referring to Zelenskyy as Putin, Biden confused Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump.
When asked whether he had concerns about Harris' ability to beat Donald Trump if he decided not to run again, Biden responded, "Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be Vice President. But, I think she's not qualified to President."
Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to mock Biden for his verbal slips during the press conference.
In the post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "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."
Biden's verbal slip ups come at a time when he is under intense scrutiny over his advanced age. US President Joe Biden has vowed he will be "running this race to end "of the November election, despite private calls from Democrats to drop out.
- With inputs from agencies
