Top line
President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” during a NATO event on Thursday, the latest gaffe by the president as he faces calls to withdraw from the presidential election over concerns about his mental acuity.
US President Joe Biden speaks alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) during the … (+)
Key facts
Biden introduced Zelensky as “President Putin,” a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is waging a war against Ukraine that began in 2022.
Biden quickly corrected himself, while Zelensky responded to Biden’s gaffe in a joking tone, saying: “I’m better (than Putin).”
“You’re so much better,” Biden told Zelensky after correcting himself, attributing his mistake to being “so focused on beating Putin.”
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Key Background
Biden, 81, has rejected calls for him to drop out of the race, saying this week that he is “firmly committed” to running for reelection. More than 15 House Democrats — including most recently Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, and Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill. — have called on the president to step down, with some lawmakers proposing Vice President Kamala Harris as a possible Biden replacement. More and more Biden supporters believe the president should step down, according to an ABC News/Ipsos/Washington Post poll. Trump leads Biden in most national polls conducted after the two candidates’ debate in late June, when scrutiny of Biden rose sharply after the president repeatedly stumbled over his words during the event.
Further reading
Biden vs. Trump 2024 Election Polls: Majority of Biden Supporters Say He Should Drop Out of Campaign, Latest Poll Finds (Forbes)
Here’s What A Cognitive Test Would (And Wouldn’t) Say About Biden’s Ability To Serve As President (Forbes)
House Democrat suggests “unelected advisors” should make the country’s decisions, not Biden (Forbes)
