During a recent event in South Carolina, President Joe Biden made a noticeable gaffe in his speech, mistakenly referring to Donald Trump as the “sitting President.” This slip-up occurred as Biden, who is 81 years old, was delivering remarks centered around the economy and attempting to garner support for his potential re-election bid.
The incident took place at a dinner event that was significant for its focus on the state’s substantial African American voter base. In his speech, President Biden not only addressed economic issues but also criticized Trump for his alleged failure to uphold the rights of black citizens and his perceived threat to democracy. At one point, Biden, struggling to articulate his thoughts, erroneously referred to Trump as the “sitting President,” causing some confusion among listeners.
Furthermore, Biden openly labeled Trump a “loser,” particularly referencing an incident where Trump reportedly declined to visit a cemetery in France to honor fallen U.S. soldiers. Biden quoted Trump as referring to the soldiers as “suckers and losers,” a statement he condemned vehemently.
This slip of the tongue follows another recent incident where President Biden misspoke during a speech at a Wisconsin Brewery, incorrectly calling Trump a “professor” instead of “predecessor.” Additionally, during his speech, Biden appeared to speak somewhat incoherently about the brewing process.
In a separate event, a photograph shared by Democratic Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar depicted President Biden wearing a construction hard hat backwards while visiting a bar with union workers.
These incidents have added to the ongoing discourse about President Biden’s age and his fitness for office. Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips recently criticized Biden, suggesting signs of “physical and communication decline,” although he clarified that he did not perceive it as cognitive decline. Phillips, who has expressed respect for Biden, emphasized that neither Biden nor Trump should be on the presidential ticket, reflecting the desire for new leadership.
President Biden’s series of verbal missteps have raised questions and concerns among some observers about his age and ability to effectively communicate, particularly as he contemplates running for another term in office.