Joe Biden Mixes Up Macron with Late French President Mitterrand in Latest Gaffe

United States President Joe Biden, amidst concerns over his fitness to serve a second term, committed yet another gaffe during a recent speech. Speaking to a crowd in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada primary, Biden confused his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with France’s former leader Francois Mitterrand, who passed away nearly three decades ago. This latest blunder, which has gone viral on social media, adds to the growing worries about Biden’s mental fitness and his ability to lead effectively.

The mix-up occurred as Biden attempted to recall a conversation with Macron from a G7 meeting in 2021. Instead, he incorrectly referred to Mitterrand, falsely claiming to have spoken with him during the gathering in Cornwall, England. In his speech, Biden recounted, “It was in the south of England. And I sat down and I said, ‘America is back,’ and Mitterrand from Germany, I mean from France, looked at me and said – said, ‘you know what – why – how long you back for?'”

He further added, “And I looked at him, and the Chancellor of Germany said, ‘What would you say, Mr. President, if you picked up the paper tomorrow in the London Times, and London Times said, ‘A thousand people break through the House of Commons, break down the doors, two Bobbies are killed in order to stop the election of the Prime Minister.’ What would you say?'”

Biden’s confusion was noted in the official transcript of his speech released by the White House, acknowledging his mistake and clarifying that he intended to mention President Macron instead of the late President Mitterrand. Emmanuel Macron has served as the President of France since 2017, while Mitterrand held the presidency from 1981 to 1995.

This latest gaffe adds fuel to the ongoing criticism surrounding Biden’s age and mental acuity. As the 2024 presidential campaign gains momentum, concerns about his verbal slip-ups and physical mishaps, such as his stumble on Air Force One’s stairs, are being used by his opponents to question his competence.

Conservative podcaster Graham Allen responded to Biden’s latest blunder on social media, stating, “This is not a healthy sign.” Others also took to various platforms to express their alarm, with one user sarcastically commenting, “Joe Biden has revealed his superpower. He can talk to the ghosts of deceased European leaders.”

In a similar embarrassing moment last week, Biden mistakenly referred to his opponent, Donald Trump, as a “sitting president.” However, it is important to note that Trump has also faced criticism for his own gaffes, including mistaking Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for Republican presidential nominee Nikki Haley.

The repeated blunders raise concerns among American voters about Biden’s fitness to lead the nation for another four years. With his approval rating lower than that of recent incumbents, the President faces an uphill battle to regain confidence in his abilities and dispel the doubts surrounding his cognitive fitness.