Biden’s Awkward Exit After Speech at Gala

Former President Joe Biden wrapped up his speech at a Democratic Party gala on Saturday night with a rather awkward moment. After delivering a 10-minute keynote address at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back and Win Gala, he paused, looked to the side, and pointed in two directions, seemingly unsure of where to exit. Following some guidance, he turned and walked offstage with his back to the audience.

Interestingly, other speakers had exited from the opposite side, but Biden chose a different route.

During his speech, Biden presented his sharpest criticism of former President Donald Trump since leaving office, accusing the Trump administration of corruption while defending his own administration’s achievements. He specifically targeted what he referred to as Trump’s “vanity projects,” such as renovations at the White House and issues surrounding the National Mall’s reflecting pool. At one point, he simply remarked, “Hey, what a loser.”

Though he coughed a few times throughout, Biden concluded his address with a rallying call for Democrats to “fight back,” expressing optimism that the country can overcome its challenges if they unite. “I guarantee you, my friends, that we can do this. And we will. We just have to remember who we are: We are the United States of America,” he stated. “If we act together, nothing is beyond our capabilities. So let’s stand up and fight back, motherfucker.”

This incident followed another recent moment at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, where Biden, once everyone else had left the stage, called out, “Where’s my granddaughter?” His wife, Jill Biden, soon returned to lead her to him.

Since withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race amid pressure from fellow Democrats, Biden has mostly kept a low profile, making only a few public appearances. He recently disclosed that he is undergoing treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer.