New Delhi: Amid health concerns related to the US President Joe Biden and presidential hopeful’s competency, he baffled and mixed up Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit on Thursday. While introducing Zelenskyy, Biden introduced him as President Putin, leaving everyone stunned, including Zelenskyy. This embarrassing verbal stumble comes at a time when he is already facing intense questions about his mental competency given his is old-age.
The 81-year-old Democrat displayed his perplexity by calling Zelenskyy with the name of Russian leader Putin who waged a war against Ukraine about two years ago and it is still ongoing. This happened on a day when he had to address reporters in Washington, D.C., for the first time after his debate against his November election opponent Donald Trump in late June.
At NATO summit, The Democrat said,” …and now I want to hand it over to the President of Ukarine…Ladies and gentlemen — President Putin. President Putin,” before he realised the goof up.
“He’s gonna beat President Putin, President Zelenskyy,” covering up the his mistake, Biden then said.
Smartly handling the baffled introduction, Zelenskyy quipped, “I’m better”, to which Biden responded, “You are a hell of a lot better.”
On being asked about the getting confused with the names, The US president told reporters, “Did you see any damage to our stand in my leading this conference? Have you seen a more successful conference? What do you think? And the Putin piece, I was talking about Putin and I said, “and now at the very end, I said here, I mean Putin. I said, no, I’m sorry, Zelenskyy”. Then I added five other names. Look, guys, the idea anybody suggests that we haven’t had an incredibly successful conference, how many times did you hear in that conference?”
“I know it sounds too self-serving, but other leaders, and heads of state in thanking me, saying the reason we’re together is because of Biden, because Biden did the following. It was the most successful conference I’ve attended in a long time and find me a world leader who didn’t think it was…” he added.
On the same day, the presidential hopeful mixed up Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, while addressing reporters at a highly-anticipated solo press conference in Washington.
Upon being asked about VP Kamala Harris’s competency if given a chance to beat Trump in Presidential race, Biden said,” “Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president [if] I think she’s not qualified to be president,” Biden said, confusing his second-in-command with the former US President Donald Trump.
Biden went on say that he himself is the most qualified person for the post of President and will beat Trump once again. If he is re-elected, ‘things are going to get much better, he claimed.
Recently, there have been many instances which raised concerns over his ability to run for Presidential race. The gaffe has again led to questioning over Biden’s fitness to be the Presidential candidate. Biden is already facing criticism over his age and mental fitness following a “disappointing” debate performance against his Republican rival Donald Trump. A growing number of Democrats are calling on him to “drop out” from presidential race.
VIDEO | Twin Gaffes in a Day: Biden Calls Zelenskyy ‘Prez Putin,’ Refers to Harris as ‘VP Trump’ world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
