President Joe Biden, known for his occasional verbal slip-ups, once again found himself at the center of controversy during a speech at the Gila River Indian Community on Friday, October 25th. While acknowledging Senator Mark Kelly’s presence, Biden unexpectedly referred to Kelly’s wife, former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, in the past tense, implying she had passed away.
“Thank you to Senator Mark Kelly, a great friend who also was married to an incredible woman [Giffords] who was my friend,” Biden said, sparking a wave of online criticism.
This incident isn’t the first time Biden has stumbled over names and events. In February 2024, he mistakenly claimed to have spoken with deceased German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. While the White House dismissed both incidents as mere slip-ups, critics are increasingly concerned about Biden’s mental acuity, particularly as he prepares for the 2024 presidential election.
Following the assassination attempt on her life in 2011, Giffords, who survived the tragedy, resigned from her position. Despite the incident, she remains active in public life, serving as a champion for gun control advocacy. She is also happily married to Senator Kelly, a fact that Biden seemed to forget during his speech.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attempted to downplay Biden’s recent gaffes, stating that “it happens to all of us” and “it is common.” She emphasized the importance of focusing on the “arching kind of theme” of Biden’s message.
However, Biden’s critics argue that these slip-ups are more than just harmless misstatements. They see them as a sign of declining cognitive abilities and a cause for concern regarding his fitness for office. As the 2024 election cycle heats up, it remains to be seen whether these gaffes will have a lasting impact on Biden’s political future.