President Joe Biden introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Volodymyr. Zelensky played the role of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a NATO summit in Washington, DC on Thursday, but corrected himself seconds later with an incoherent explanation.
The embarrassing gaffe is likely to increase scrutiny of Biden’s health and raise further questions about his political viability, with some Democrats saying he should be removed as the party’s presumptive nominee.
“Now I want to turn it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has resolve,” Biden said. Zelensky. “LLadies and gentlemen, President Putin.”
When Biden realized his mistake, the audience broke into slow applause.
“President Putin,” Biden corrected. “He’s going to beat President Putin, President Zelensky.”
“I’m focused on defeating Putin, so I have to worry about that. Anyway…”
Biden introduced Zelensky as “President Putin,” but quickly corrected himself.
“I’m better,” Zelenskiy replied jokingly. pic.twitter.com/8MgZHj2cf1
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 11, 2024
.@NATO World leaders react after President Biden mistakenly refers to President Zelensky as “President Putin.” pic.twitter.com/V8rNfpY3Sj
— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) July 11, 2024
Zelensky expressed concerns about Biden’s health after watching Biden’s debate performance, Ukrainian sources said. Said Axios on Tuesday.
“Frankly, everybody is waiting for November,” Zelensky said at a news conference. “The whole world is waiting for November. And the truth is, Putin is waiting for November too.”
Biden, who special counsel Robert Hur described as an “old man with a bad memory,” had a hard time participating in unscripted donor events. The Wall Street Journal report, They are often helped by an aide who reminds them of the information.
Biden has atrial fibrillation, peripheral neuropathy in his feet, and hyperlipidemia, according to his annual physical by his doctor, Kevin O’Connor. These health problems may explain why he has trouble standing upright. Biden has tripped, fallen, or stumbled at least five times during his presidency.
Crash landing! Biden falls during US Air Force Academy graduation ceremony
Biden met with the three doctors in January. New York Post JOHN LEVIN: O’Connor, Dr. Kevin Canard, a Parkinson’s disease specialist at Walter Reed Hospital, and Dr. John E. Atwood, a cardiologist at Walter Reed Hospital.
Biden adopted a strategy of walking to and from Marine One with multiple attendants to “draw less attention” to his physical ailments, Axios’ Hans Nichols and Alex Thompson reported in April. Biden also began boarding Air Force One using a short staircase at the back of the plane rather than the taller staircase at the front.
Biden has not worn typical dress shoes with his suit, but rather sports shoes specially made for walking comfort, a change from typical senior attire.
A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in July found that 72% of registered voters believe Biden does not have the “mental” and “cognitive health” to serve as president, a rise of 7 points after the debate.
Wendell Fsebo is a political reporter for Breitbart News and a former Republican War Room analyst. The Politics of Slave MoralityFollow Wendell “Bat” @WendellHusebø or The truth of society @WendellHusebo.
