President Joe Biden on Sunday appeared to confuse French President Emmanuel Macron with his predecessor, Francois Mitterrand, who died in 1996.
The historic stumbling block occurred during the election campaign. speech In Las Vegas, the 80-year-old was reflecting on his 2021 meeting with G7 leaders in Cornwall, England. In a speech to his supporters, Mr. Biden mentioned that he had spoken to the two-term (1981-1995) French leader, confusing him with Mr. Macron.
“It was in the south of England. And I sat down and said, ‘America is back.’ Then Mitterrand, who is from Germany, actually from France, looked at me and said: “Do you know, why and how long have you been back?”
US President Joe Biden visits the No. 1 Boba Tea Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 5, 2024 (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A portrait of François Mitterrand taken on November 10, 1976 in Paris, France. He was the country’s leader from his 1981 until 1995, when in 1996 he died at the age of 79. (Laurent MAOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
“And I looked at him, and the German chancellor said, ‘Mr President, if you picked up the London Times tomorrow and it said, ‘Over 1,000,’ how would you feel?” In order to prevent the election of Prime Minister, the door of the House of Commons is broken down and two bovies are killed. what would you say? “
“I had never thought of it in that light. If that happened in another democracy around the world, what would we say?” he continued.
then the white house Posted Remarks in which Mitterrand’s name was removed and replaced by Macron.
Mitterrand served as President of France from 1981 to 1995, and died in 1996 at the age of 79.
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The incident comes as Biden seeks a second term in the White House and more questions are being raised about his age and cognitive ability, including by Democrats.
Americans are also worried.
A recent NBC News poll found that most registered voters share “significant” concerns about Biden’s age and health.
investigation Asked Respondents were asked to identify whether they had “significant concern, moderate concern, mild concern, or no concern at all” about a variety of topics, one of which was Biden’s health and age. It is.
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One option states, “At 80 years old, Joe Biden does not have the physical and mental health necessary to serve a second term as president,” asking respondents to gauge their level of concern. .
Overall, most (59%) have “serious” concerns about the 80-year-old’s health and age.
A further 15% are moderately concerned.
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In total, nearly three-quarters, 74%, are either majority or moderately concerned about these issues. Only 14% said they had “no real concerns” and 12% said they had “mild” concerns.
At 81, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history and will remain so if he claims re-election later this year. If he returns to the White House, he will be 87 years old by the end of his second term.
