Ladies and gentlemen, President Joe Biden faced a crucial moment recently, stepping into the spotlight for his first press conference following a challenging debate performance. With the pressure mounting for him to possibly step out of the 2024 race, all eyes were on him as he spoke on the final day of a NATO summit he was hosting in Washington.
The conference began on a shaky note when Biden appeared an hour late. This delay set a tense atmosphere as Democrats watched closely to see if the 81-year-old president could recover from his “bad night” at the debate. However, his opening remarks quickly went off track. Within minutes, Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin. This blunder was followed by a series of rambling comments, even though he was reading from a teleprompter.
BIDEN: “I’m following the advice of my commander-in-chief” 😳 pic.twitter.com/FdspE1UIQf
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 11, 2024
Critics, including Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro, were quick to call Biden a “total mess.” The 81-year-old’s performance, marked by missteps and inaccuracies, added to the growing concern about his ability to lead. Biden claimed that overall prices had dropped, a statement starkly contrasted by the reality that costs have risen by over 20.1 percent since he took office. Inflation, too, has remained above three percent for 39 consecutive months.
BIDEN at press conference: “I’ve been given a list of people to call on here.” pic.twitter.com/inPs1V2F7B
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 11, 2024
In a confusing moment, Biden referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” and later justified her qualification for the presidency based on her handling of “women’s bodies.” This was followed by a candid admission that his staff provided him with a “list” of reporters to call on, further highlighting the controlled environment around him.
Biden’s speech also touched on national security, noting the Ukraine-Russia war as a threat, but he failed to address the significant issue of illegal immigration. Despite this, he claimed border encounters had decreased by over 50 percent.
In the backdrop of these events, the political landscape was further shaken by a recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident has sparked a wave of sympathy for Trump, with many believing it could boost his chances in the upcoming election. Democratic voters and strategists are divided on the impact, with some seeing it as a blow to Biden’s campaign.
Hardest picture of all time. pic.twitter.com/gjAkAChgOQ
— Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 News (@DonaldTNews) July 13, 2024
The Biden camp is attempting to regain footing, pointing to an upcoming interview and a primetime speech where the president plans to address the nation on political violence. However, the challenge remains steep, with many Democrats fearing that the image of Trump, bloodied but defiant, will be indelible in voters’ minds.
Trump yelling “Fight. Fight,” after getting grazed by a bullet in the ear, an inch from ending his life.
No panic. No crawling on his knees to safety. The man stands up, faces the crowd, and yells “Fight.”
Historic footage. Just incredible.
— Lomez (@L0m3z) July 13, 2024