Amid growing concerns about his age and cognitive abilities, President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to himself as a “black woman” during an interview, raising questions about his suitability for another term.
Amid ongoing concerns about his age and cognitive health, President Joe Biden recently made headlines with a verbal blunder that left many puzzled. During an interview with Philadelphia station WURD, Biden mistakenly described himself as a “black woman,” a mix-up that further fueled speculation about his mental acuity. The incident, recorded and widely reported by international media, saw Biden say, “By the way, I’m proud to be, as I said, the first vice-president, first black woman… to serve with a black president,” apparently confusing his own biography with that of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris, the first African-American and first woman to serve as vice president, was the likely subject of Biden’s intended praise. This gaffe, however, is part of a series of recent verbal missteps. Earlier on the same day, Biden referred to his competitor, former President Donald Trump, as “one of our colleagues” while addressing military families at the White House. This followed a less-than-stellar performance in his first presidential debate against Trump, where he admitted he did not speak as “smoothly” as he once did.
Public opinion polls reflect growing concern about Biden’s age and cognitive abilities. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in September revealed that 77% of respondents believed Biden was too old to work in government, while 56% felt the same about Trump, who is 77 years old. The issue of mental competency is becoming a focal point in this year’s presidential campaign, as Biden and Trump are the two oldest men ever elected president.
Despite these concerns, the White House has consistently defended Biden’s capabilities. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized Biden’s strength and resolve, noting her regular engagements with the president. She assured reporters, “What I see is a strong, resolute president who is always willing and able to work on behalf of the American people.”
In February, a Department of Justice counsel raised alarms about the president’s memory problems, adding to the scrutiny. However, Dr. Itay Gal, a journalist with Maariv, dismissed the likelihood of dementia but acknowledged Biden’s cognitive decline, attributing it to his advanced age of 81 years.
The discourse around Biden’s mental fitness continues to be a significant issue as the presidential campaign progresses. Both Biden and Trump, due to their ages, face heightened scrutiny regarding their ability to effectively lead the nation.