In a political drama fit for the silver screen, Joe Biden has once again found himself in hot water after making a controversial comment about former President Barack Obama. The incident took place during a state dinner at the White House, attended by Kenyan President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto. What should have been a night of diplomatic celebration quickly turned into a media frenzy.
As the evening progressed, Biden made an off-the-cuff remark that left many attendees and viewers scratching their heads. With a noticeable slur in his speech, Biden quipped, “Jill and I are honored to have you here and we’re representing… including many members of the African diaspora. One just left — Barack…” The awkward joke did not go unnoticed, and accusations of racism were quick to follow.
Social media erupted almost instantly with reactions ranging from disbelief to outright condemnation. A clip of the comment posted on Twitter went viral, drawing millions of views and sparking heated debates. Critics slammed Biden for what they perceived as a racially insensitive remark, with some calling it a new low even for the often gaffe-prone president.
“Wow! Even for Biden, that was a new level of racism,” tweeted one user. Another commented, “He always sounds like he’s about to fall asleep. Zero energy!” The backlash was swift and brutal, with many questioning Biden’s suitability for office and his understanding of racial sensitivities.
https://twitter.com/Travis_4_Trump/status/1794045511084671034
Adding fuel to the fire, this controversy comes at a critical time for Biden. Recent polls, including a New York Times/Siena College survey, show that Trump could potentially secure over 20% of Black votes against Biden in the upcoming election—a figure that would be historic if realized. In contrast, Trump captured roughly 10% of the Black electorate in the 2020 election, with CNN’s exit poll placing his support at 12%.
Biden is keenly aware of the importance of Black voters for his re-election campaign and has been making efforts to solidify his standing with this crucial demographic. However, missteps like this one threaten to undermine those efforts and provide ammunition for his political opponents.
The state dinner, intended to celebrate six decades of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic ties, was otherwise a glittering affair. It featured a toast by Biden, a prayer led by Senior White House Military Chaplain John Scott, and performances by country star Brad Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University. Yet, Biden’s ill-fated joke overshadowed the night’s achievements and left the administration scrambling to manage the fallout.
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