President Joe Biden faced a series of embarrassing blunders during his appearance at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting.
From misquoting historical figures like Abraham Lincoln to mixing up world leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, Biden’s performance was marred by inaccuracies and confusion.
“And, you know, standing here in front of this portrait of the man behind me here, he — he said — and I want to make sure I get the quote exactly right. He said, ‘The better angels –‘ he said, ‘We must address counsel — and adjust the better angels of our nature.’ And we do the — and we do well to remember what else he said. He said, ‘We’re not enemies, but we’re friends.’ This is in the middle of — this is in the — in the part of the Civil War. He said, ‘We’re not enemies, but we’re friends. We must not be enemies,’” Biden said.
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— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 25, 2024
“I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature,” Lincoln’s original quote reads.
His attempt to recount personal experiences with Xi Jinping was debunked by fact-checkers, earning him criticism and three Pinocchios from The Washington Post.
Despite being unable to accurately recall historical quotes or distinguish between prominent leaders, Biden continued to stumble through his speech.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with Xi Jinping — someone whom I have a great deal of difference with,” Biden said. “And I was — when I was vice president, President — my — my president was — told me that he wanted me to get to know Xi Jinping because it was clear he was going to be the head of Russia — of — of China and that he — we had a — we were having problems with Russia at the time and other countries as well.”
“And so, what he said was, ‘Get to know him. He’s going to be there.’ I — and he couldn’t because he was the president, and he couldn’t travel. So, I traveled 17,000 miles with him throughout the country — our country and — and in — in China, as well,” he said.
His confusion extended to his time as vice president under Barack Obama, where he inaccurately portrayed his interactions with Xi Jinping.
The audience showed significant disinterest and eventual disregard for Biden’s remarks, as the President was eventually ignored while audience members focused on their dinner.
The event highlighted the concerning pattern of gaffes and inaccuracies that have plagued Biden’s public appearances, raising questions about his ability to effectively lead and communicate as President.
From misidentifying world leaders to fabricating personal anecdotes, Biden’s performance at the event underscored a growing sense of disillusionment and disconnection between the President and the American public, as his credibility and competence came under scrutiny.
