President Joe Biden's recent press conference took an awkward turn when he struggled to introduce a key world leader.
According to a New York Post report, the 81-year-old president appeared confused and snapped at his staff after forgetting he was supposed to introduce Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Quad summit event in Wilmington, Delaware.
The incident occurred on September 21, 2024, as Biden was hosting allies from the four-nation Quad alliance, which includes the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. The summit took place at Biden's home in Wilmington, coinciding with foreign leaders' visits to the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
After concluding his remarks, Biden seemed unsure about which leader he was meant to introduce next. He called out to his staff:
Thank you all for being here and now, uhh, who am I introducing next? Who's next?
An announcer then informed the president that Prime Minister Modi was up next, prompting the Indian leader to approach the stage and shake hands with Biden.
In an attempt to recover from the awkward moment, Biden made a joke about India's population, stating, "By the way, he's from a small country like ours. A small population like ours." This comment raised eyebrows, given that India is the world's most populous nation, with approximately 1.4 billion people, while the U.S. ranks third with 333 million.
Prior to the introduction mishap, Biden had been discussing the global extension of his Cancer Moonshot initiative. He announced a new partnership between the four Quad countries aimed at reducing cancer deaths.
The president highlighted the commitment of over $150 million for HPV screening and therapeutics. He also mentioned a program where U.S. Navy doctors and nurses would train Indo-Pacific counterparts in conducting cervical cancer screening and vaccination.
This incident is not isolated, as Biden has faced scrutiny throughout his presidency for similar gaffes and moments of apparent confusion during high-profile events.
Last year, he reportedly bumped into a large flag at the United Nations and seemed to overlook Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by leaving the stage without shaking his hand.
This weekend gathering is expected to be Biden's last summit with the Quad Alliance leadership before he leaves office. The president emphasized the strategic alignment of the member countries, stating:
Our countries are more strategically aligned than ever before. While challenges will come, the world will change, because the Quad is here to stay.
In the coming week, Biden is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and deliver remarks at the UN General Assembly. He is also set to attend his final Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in Peru and his last G20 summit in Brazil after the November 5 presidential election.
In summary, President Biden's fumble during the Quad summit press conference has reignited discussions about his age and mental acuity. The incident occurred while announcing significant cancer research initiatives and reaffirming strategic alliances. As Biden approaches the end of his term, questions persist about his ability to effectively manage high-level diplomatic engagements.
