Biden Claims He Was Vice President During Pandemic in Latest NAACP Speech Blunder (Video)

President Joe Biden seemed to make another mistake while speaking at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner in Detroit on Sunday.

The 81-year-old president suggested to the audience that he was vice president “during the pandemic.” The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020 under former President Donald Trump, and Biden, who was campaigning for president at the time, had not served as vice president since 2016.

Biden speech Blunder

A scathing report by former special counsel Robert Hur in February accused Biden of forgetting significant events, such as the day his son Beau died. According to Forbes, transcripts from the interview also reportedly indicated Biden had forgotten his tenure under former President Barack Obama, asking, “When did I stop being vice president?”.

Biden recently exercised executive privilege over the audio from the Hur interview, a doctrine that allows the president to withhold information from other branches of government.

Sunday’s slip-up adds to Biden’s increasingly lengthy string of blunders. In April, the president appeared to confuse the Jan. 6 Capitol riots with D-Day when reminding a crowd not to “forget the dark days of Jun. 6.”

“Jan. 6, excuse me,” he corrected.

Earlier that month, Biden also appeared to read speaking instructions from a teleprompter while delivering remarks.

“I see an economy that grows a lot from the bottom up, where the wealthy pay their fair share, so we can have childcare, paid leave, and so much more, and still reduce the federal deficit and increase economic growth,” the president said.

“Imagine what we could do next,” he added. “Four more years, pause.”

These instances contribute to ongoing concerns about the president’s age and cognitive abilities as he seeks re-election. Critics argue that such gaffes undermine confidence in his leadership, while supporters maintain that his policies and experience outweigh occasional verbal missteps.

The NAACP event was intended to highlight racial justice and equity issues, but Biden’s comment drew more attention than the topics. The organization has not commented on the president’s blunder.

Biden’s missteps have become a focal point for his opponents, who often use these incidents to question his fitness for office. As the 2024 election approaches, these moments will likely be scrutinized more closely.

Despite the gaffes, Biden continues to push his legislative agenda, focusing on economic recovery, healthcare, and social justice initiatives. His administration has emphasized his tenure’s successes, including significant job growth and infrastructure investments.

In the political landscape, the president’s verbal missteps are juxtaposed with his track record of policy achievements. The debate over his cognitive health is likely to remain contentious as he campaigns for a second term.

The public and political analysts are watching closely to see how these incidents affect Biden’s re-election prospects. The president’s team continues to navigate the challenges of maintaining public confidence amidst the scrutiny of his every word.

As the 2024 election cycle heats up, Biden’s ability to effectively communicate and connect with voters will be intensely examined. His campaign strategy may need to adapt to mitigate the impact of these gaffes on his public image.

Ultimately, Biden’s legacy and prospects for a second term may hinge on the public’s perception of his competency and the tangible outcomes of his policy initiatives. The balance between his legislative successes and his verbal blunders will shape the narrative of his presidency.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

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