A disoriented President Biden stumbled and scolded his aides after losing track of which world leader he was supposed to introduce during a press event at the Quad summit on Saturday.
The 81-year-old president was expected to bring India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the podium, but appeared confused about which of the three visiting leaders he was supposed to call on.
“Thank you all for being here and now, uhh, who am I introducing next? Who’s next?” Biden shouted after finishing his speech.
A voice then announced that Modi — leader of the world’s largest democracy — was up next, and shortly afterward, Modi came forward and shook hands with Biden.
The president has been hosting the Quad allies at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, for a brief, two-day summit, as these foreign leaders visit the US for the United Nations General Assembly.
The Quad — an alliance aimed at countering China’s influence — is made up of the US, Japan, India, and Australia.
“By the way, he’s from a small country like ours. A small population like ours,” Biden quipped while hugging Modi, 74. “He’s become a good and decent man. A good friend.”
India, with roughly 1.4 billion people, is the world’s most populous country, while the US ranks third, with a population of 333 million.
Earlier in his remarks, Biden introduced a global extension of his Cancer Moonshot initiative and spoke about the death of his son, Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
This new initiative involves a partnership between the four nations and aims to decrease cancer-related deaths.
“I’m proud to announce that our four countries, the leaders behind me, and many organizations here today are committing over $150 million for HPV, HPV screening, and therapeutics,” Biden stated.
“Next year, doctors and nurses in the US Navy will start a program to train Indo-Pacific counterparts in cervical cancer screening and vaccination, so we can reach every woman in the region — and it matters folks.”
Throughout his time in office, Biden has faced criticism over similar incidents of confusion or memory lapses during significant public events.
Last year, for instance, Biden accidentally walked into a large flag at the United Nations and appeared to ignore Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by leaving the stage without shaking his hand.
At 81, Biden holds the distinction of being the oldest president in American history, though Donald Trump could surpass that record if he wins the Nov. 5 election and serves a full second term.
Amid concerns over Biden’s mental sharpness, some Democrats have pushed back, urging him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, which has left him seen as a lame-duck president.
During a Cabinet meeting on Friday, first lady Jill Biden raised eyebrows by speaking on her husband’s behalf for much of the meeting, and she later hosted an event in the Rose Garden without him.
This weekend’s gathering may be Biden’s final summit with the Quad Alliance leaders before leaving the White House. The president had tried to personalize the two-day event in an effort to further solidify his bond with these key partners.
“Our countries are more strategically aligned than ever before,” Biden said at the summit. “While challenges will come, the world will change, because the Quad is here to stay.”
Later this week, Biden is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking Zelensky’s fifth public visit to the US since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Zelensky plans to discuss a “Plan for Victory” with Biden and will also meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as former President Trump. His visit includes a speech before the UN General Assembly’s 79th session in New York City.
On Tuesday, Biden is scheduled to deliver a speech at the UN and will have meetings with other world leaders throughout the week.
Following the Nov. 5 election, Biden is anticipated to attend his final Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Peru and his last G20 summit, which will take place in Brazil.
{Matzav.com}