Senior Biden officials appeared trying awkwardly to remain expressionless when the commander-in-chief referred to Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” during Thursday’s “big boy” press conference at the NATO Summit.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan were seated in the front row for Biden’s error-laden debacle at the Washington Convention Center.
“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I think she’s not qualified to be president,” the 81-year-old told reporters.
Blinken — who praised his boss for restoring global confidence in the US days after his disastrous debate against Trump — closed his eyes and dropped his head slightly when the president made the major mix-up on the world stage.
Sullivan appeared to be trying his best to contain his emotions, putting his hand up to his mouth before balling it into a fist and resting it on his chin in what could be perceived as disbelief over the statement.
Austin was the only Biden official who did not appear to be in any discomfort over the president’s remarks, sitting stoned-faced during Biden’s mishap — evening slightly nodding his head at one point.
The call for Biden not to seek reelection has accelerated among congressional Democrats, who believe running with the 81-year-old president will only secure a victory for former President Trump, who is expected to be the Republican nominee.
Following the humiliating inaccuracy, Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Eric Sorensen, and Rep. Scott Peters became the latest Democrats to publicly plea for Biden to retire after his term ends.
Before Biden’s press conference, fourteen House Democrats urged Biden to drop out of the presidential race.
Trump quickly ridiculed his potential opponent over the mistake in a statement on social media.
“Crooked Joe begins his ‘Big Boy’ Press Conference with, ‘I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.’ Great job, Joe!” The 78-year-old ex-president wrote.
What to know about the fallout from President Biden’s debate performance:
Trump is ahead of Biden by 4 points, and less than a quarter of Americans believe the incumbent is “mentally sharp,” according to a poll released by the Pew Research Center on Thursday.
It wasn’t Biden’s only presidential mix-up during his “big boy” press conference, which Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly referred to the event.
Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as his enemy, Russian President Volodymyr Putin, on stage Thursday evening, causing some in the crowd to gasp in disbelief.
“And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination,” a fragile-looking Biden announced. “Ladies and gentlemen, President [Vladimir] Putin.”
World leaders onstage appeared unsure whether to clap to welcome Zelensky or wait for Biden to correct himself.
One audience member shouted, “Zelensky!” to correct the aging president.
Zelensky shrugged off the flub as he took the podium to praise NATO.
Biden quickly apologized for the embarrassing gaffe, saying it happened because he was “so focused on beating” the Kremlin strongman.
Biden’s evening of simple slipups comes as leaders of 19 other nations gathered to announce the signing of the Ukraine Compact, a new security agreement between Kyiv and the US, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The president also had trouble pronouncing the word “neurologist” while claiming he wouldn’t seek another cognitive exam unless doctors asked for one — as speculation has arisen that the 81-year-old may have Parkinson’s disease or a related condition.
Biden claimed he last saw neurologist Dr. Kevin Cannard in February, despite Jean-Pierre saying the visit was in January.