President Joe Biden bumbled through the introduction of a speech at a FEMA COVID-19 vaccination facility in Houston, Texas on Friday, sparking commentary regarding his history of gaffes.
The moment: Biden flubbed the names of several Democrat politicians and officials and at one point remarked aloud, “What am I doing here?”
“Good afternoon — or almost,” the president began inauspiciously. “Actually, it’s evening.”
- “And I want to thank you, Governor and Mrs. Abbott, for your hospitality and your friendship,” he said. “And Representative — Senator Cornyn, I think he had to go back; I think he’s getting on a plane. He told me last — he came in to see me last event.”
- “And Representatives Shirley Jackson Lee, Al Green, Sylvia Garcia, Lizzie Pannilli — excuse me, Pannill — and — what am I doing here?” he added, botching the name of Texas Democrat, Sheila Jackson Lee. “I’m going to lose track here. And Mayor Turner, Judge Hidalgo. Thank you all for welcoming us.”
The clip went viral, racking up millions of views on Twitter and drawing ridicule from prominent conservatives.
The context: Critics have questioned the mental fitness of Biden, who at 78 is the oldest-ever sitting president.
- Biden, who has characterized himself as a “gaffe machine,” revealed in an interview with The Atlantic last year that he has battled a speech impediment since childhood.
