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President Joe Biden Ukrainian president was mistakenly introduced Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian president Vladimir Putin while introducing him at a NATO event, shortly before referring to the vice president Kamala Harris as former president Donald Trumpthe presumptive Republican presidential nominee, during a live press conference on Thursday (July 11).
“I now want to turn it over to the president of Ukraine, who has both courage and determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” Biden said before correcting himself. “President Putin? He’s going to beat President Putin. President Putin is a strong, strong man.” Zelensky: I’m so focused on defeating Putin that we have to worry about that. Anyway, Mr. President.
“I’m better,” Zelensky replied, referring to the president of the country he initially invaded in February 2022.
“You’re so much better,” Biden said.
Biden later mistakenly called Vice President Harris “Vice President Trump” when asked during a live press conference if he thought she was fit to serve as a presidential candidate amid rumors that Harris would step in as a possible replacement to be the Democratic presidential nominee.
“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump as vice president if I thought she wasn’t qualified to be president. So let’s start there,” Biden said.
The live press conference came amid reports of uncertainty regarding the president’s re-election campaign, with a senior campaign official reportedly telling at least one megadonor that Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 election is “just a matter of time” in private according to TMZas well as several Democratic officials who publicly called for him to step down. The official reportedly said the focus had shifted from singular support for the president’s reelection to “Democrats have to keep the White House” after Biden’s disastrous performance in the first presidential debate against the former president. Donald Trumpthe likely Republican candidate.
Biden, the oldest president in history, appeared across from Trump on the debate stage for the first time since the 2020 election and did little to assuage concerns about his vigor and energy. The president appeared to struggle with his voice, clearing his throat and coughing several times, and was often seen with his mouth open and staring blankly when Trump spoke, sometimes struggling to finish sentences.
According to the veteran Democratic operative and former US senator, Biden’s performance would have caused “panic” among Democrats. CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod.
“He seemed a little disoriented. He got stronger as the debate went on, but by then I think panic had set in,” Axelrod said, adding that “there will be discussions about whether he should continue.”
