President Joe Biden shared a light-hearted exchange with a staunch Trump supporter during a public visit to Pennsylvania on Wednesday. The supporter jokingly called the 81-year-old president an “old fart” and challenged him to remember his own name. Biden responded with a smile, shrugging off the remark, and quipping, “I know I’m old!” before donning a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat in a moment of humor and political camaraderie.
This is the full exchange and it’s quite amazing. pic.twitter.com/pMTU1xhYuH
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) September 12, 2024
The playful interaction occurred while Biden was visiting a firehouse in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in honor of the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks. When further teased about his age, Biden joked, “I don’t remember my name. I’m too old,” eliciting laughter from the crowd. The exchange took place just hours after the president and former rival Donald Trump appeared at the New York memorial service to pay their respects to the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Biden’s brief stint wearing the iconic MAGA hat drew attention online, with Trump’s campaign quickly acknowledging the moment on social media. The Trump War Room account humorously commented, “Thanks for the support, Joe!” in reference to the image of Biden in Trump gear. In response, Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates explained that the hat was given to Biden by a Trump supporter as a sign of goodwill, and Biden, in turn, sported the hat for a few moments.
The event continued with a nod to local firefighters who responded to the tragic crash of Flight 93 in a field near Shanksville, a hijacked plane that was downed on September 11, 2001, by brave passengers who prevented further devastation. Despite the solemn occasion, the interaction between Biden and the Trump supporter lightened the atmosphere, showcasing a rare moment of good-natured banter between supporters of rival political figures.
Biden jokes with Trump supporter that he doesn’t remember his own name at Pa. fire station: ‘You’re an old fart’: President Joe Biden joked that he could not remember his name moments before he briefly donned a Trump hat on Wednesday. https://t.co/afNR6G3ZEO pic.twitter.com/LcsvbZr3m9
— ZBreakingNewz (@ZBreakingNewz) September 12, 2024
Kelsey Simmers, the daughter of the man who joked with Biden, clarified that her father was a lighthearted Trump fan who didn’t intend any harm. She shared that he enjoys making jokes and having fun, adding that the Trump campaign even sent him another MAGA hat following the event.
The incident has since been shared widely on social media, further illustrating the often humorous dynamics that can arise even in politically divided moments.
Key Points:
i. President Biden shared a light-hearted exchange with a Trump supporter who called him an “old fart” during a visit to Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
ii. Biden responded with humor, joking about his age and briefly wearing a MAGA hat as a gesture of political unity.
iii. The interaction took place during Biden’s visit for the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, honoring local firefighters who responded to the crash of Flight 93.
iv. The moment gained attention online, with Trump’s campaign acknowledging the light-hearted exchange on social media.
v. The Trump supporter’s daughter clarified that the interaction was all in good fun, reflecting her father’s sense of humor.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News