At the Quad summit in Wilmington, Delaware, President Biden found himself in an awkward moment. Standing before a gathering of world leaders, he seemed unsure of whom to introduce next. His voice, a little louder than necessary, cut through the room: “Who’s next? Who am I introducing now?” Staffers, caught off guard, scrambled as an announcer stepped in to clarify—it was India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Modi, unfazed, walked to the stage and exchanged a handshake with Biden, the air thick with formality.
What the hell just happened here? Did Joe Biden REALLY just forget he was doing a press conference with the Prime Minister of India?!
Biden’s totally gone.
Remember: Kamala Harris COVERED THIS UP! pic.twitter.com/Qing1bzzLa
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 22, 2024
Biden, ever the politician, tried to ease the moment with a joke. “He’s from a small country like ours, small population,” he quipped, throwing an arm around Modi, a grin spread wide across his face. Of course, the irony was not lost on anyone—India, with its 1.4 billion people, dwarfs the United States’ 333 million. But there it was, a comment that floated in the air, semi-amusing and half-misspoken.
The summit itself held weight—Biden had gathered the Quad, an alliance forged to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S., Japan, India, and Australia, all represented, worked together on a range of global initiatives. One notable announcement? Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, now extended on a global scale, with over $150 million dedicated to fighting cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. It was a proud moment for the president, tying together his personal story of loss with a grand international initiative.
We really don’t have a president.
Biden completely FORGOT he was at a press conference with the Prime Minister of India.
The entire world is laughing at us.
This guy is COOKED. pic.twitter.com/useM07uh0R— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) September 21, 2024
Yet, moments like these, where Biden appeared off-kilter, had a record of repetition. . His presidency has been peppered with similar stumbles—last year, he walked off a stage at the United Nations without shaking hands with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. These moments, especially at 81 years old, have raised questions about his mental stability, leaving some Democrats uneasy about his reelection run.
Even within his own administration, several changes have been noticed. At a recent Cabinet meeting, First Lady Jill Biden seemed to take a more prominent role, leaving some to wonder just how much Biden remains at the helm. The whispers have grown louder— rumors of him becoming a “lame-duck” president, with his final years in office approaching quickly.
Watch
President Biden calls the Prime Minister of India to the podium. pic.twitter.com/DYazCx3oYT
— Mark Naughton (@MarkNaughton9) September 22, 2024
As Biden got ready for his final days in the White House, the Quad summit marked a significant but bittersweet milestone. There were more meetings ahead— he’d see Ukraine’s President Zelensky, address the UN, and later, attend his last G20 summit. The future looms, but for now, the spotlight stays fixed on how he manages these final years.
Major Points
- President Biden faced an awkward slip-up at the Quad summit, asking aloud, “Who’s next?” before introducing India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Attempting to lighten the moment, Biden joked about India’s population, drawing attention with a comment that felt off-mark.
- The Quad summit, aimed at countering China’s influence, saw significant initiatives, including Biden’s Cancer Moonshot program extended globally.
- Biden’s recurring public stumbles, such as at the UN last year, continue to fuel concerns about his mental sharpness as he approaches 81 years old.
- As whispers of him becoming a “lame-duck” president grow, Biden’s final years in office remain under close scrutiny, especially as he prepares for future international engagements.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News