United States President Joe Biden’s recent appearance at the G7 summit in Italy was marked by several awkward moments that have raised concerns about his cognitive health.
Arriving last at the summit on Thursday, Biden was greeted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. As he shuffled onto the stage, Biden appeared to sniff her hair. Following a brief exchange, she directed him towards a frame bearing the G7 logo, which each leader signed. Before departing the platform, Biden offered an awkward salute to Meloni, a gesture that quickly went viral on social media.
Later, Biden wandered off during a parachute display and began an impromptu conversation with an officer, prompting Meloni to intervene and redirect him back to his place among the other leaders for a group photo. This incident, along with Biden’s previous gaffes, fueled ongoing discussions about his cognitive health.
Biden’s recent gaffes spark criticism
Biden’s previous appearance in France for the D-Day 80th anniversary also drew mockery due to his perceived gaffes. During a Juneteenth celebration at the White House, he appeared to freeze while others danced around him, further raising questions about his mental state.
A recent poll found that 49 per cent of US voters think Biden is likely to forget where he is during the upcoming presidential debate with Donald Trump on 27 June. Additionally, 41 per cent believe he will walk the wrong way off the debate stage, and 40 per cent think he will have problems standing up.
A separate survey found that the word voters most associate with Biden is “old,” while Trump is most associated with “criminal.” Other popular words for Biden included “incompetent,” “senile,” and “bad,” whereas for Trump, they included “evil,” “smart,” and “American.”
Biden’s recent moments of awkwardness
Biden’s moments of awkwardness were not limited to the summit. During an interview with ABC News anchor David Muir in France, Biden claimed he had “known” Russian President Vladimir Putin “for over 40 years,” despite Putin spending the entire 1980s as an undercover KGB intelligence officer. Biden’s statement drew skepticism as Putin only became a public figure in August 1999 when he was handpicked by then-President Boris Yeltsin to become prime minister.
These incidents are not isolated. Biden’s tenure has been marked by several public gaffes that have raised eyebrows and fueled media speculation about his cognitive abilities. Critics point to these incidents as signs of his declining mental acuity, a narrative that gained traction during his US presidential campaign and has persisted throughout his presidency.
Despite these challenges, Biden continues to engage in high-stakes international diplomacy, with the G7 summit addressing critical global conflicts, the spread of artificial intelligence, and issues affecting Africa, alongside new pledges of assistance for Ukraine amid its war conflict with Russia.
Biden’s ’embarrassing moments’ at the high-profile G7 summit have amplified concerns about his ability to effectively lead the US. As he prepares for the upcoming US presidential debate, the scrutiny on his mental and physical fitness is likely to intensify.
