President Joe Biden has once again stumbled in public when referring to a high-ranking member of his administration, fueling the perception among followers and members of his Democratic Party that he should reconsider running for re-election. In a televised interview, Biden failed to recall the name of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, referring to him as "the black guy."
Biden was specifically discussing the African Americans and women in senior positions within his cabinet and the criticism he has faced for his appointments when he appeared to draw a blank for a few seconds. "It all comes down to treating people with dignity. And it's about... Look, for example, the debates I'm getting because... umm... I appointed the... the... the Secretary of Defense... the black guy," he said.
His words have only increased doubts about the mental health of the 81-year-old president. This incident comes on the heels of his recent positive diagnosis for Covid-19, which forced him to cancel campaign commitments.
More Gaffes Raise Concerns
In recent days, Biden has made other significant errors that have raised concerns about his capacity to remain in the White House. Last week, during a press conference, he mistakenly referred to Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump" and continued speaking without realizing his error, drawing ridicule from Donald Trump.
Earlier that day, during the closing of the NATO Summit, he introduced the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, as "President Putin."
This is not the first time Biden has forgotten the name of his Defense Secretary, who has held the position since December 2020. In a March event, he referred to Austin as "the guy who runs that outfit over there."
Calls for Biden to Step Down
Numerous Democrats are calling for Biden to step down as the party's candidate for the November elections. The latest to do so is Barack Obama, who stated that Biden should seriously consider his candidacy as the path to a Democratic victory has significantly narrowed in the polls, and donors are abandoning him.
Famed actor George Clooney, a personal friend of Biden, also published an article in the New York Times warning that Biden is too old to continue leading the country and that if he does not withdraw, the party will lose the election. "Over the past four years, he has won many of the battles he has faced. But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. (...) We are not going to win in November with this president," Clooney emphasized.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also suggested that Biden reconsider his decision to run for re-election. "It's up to the president to decide if he's going to run. We are all encouraging him to make that decision because time is of the essence," Pelosi said, adding that she would support him "regardless of what he decides."
Questions Surrounding Biden's Mental Fitness and Re-Election
Given the recent events and growing concerns, here are some frequently asked questions about President Biden's mental fitness and re-election prospects:
Why did Joe Biden forget the name of his Defense Secretary?
President Biden has had a history of verbal gaffes, and this latest incident where he referred to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as "the black guy" has raised concerns about his mental acuity.
How have Biden's recent errors affected his re-election campaign?
Biden's recent mistakes have fueled doubts about his fitness for office, leading to calls from prominent Democrats and supporters to reconsider his re-election bid. This has significantly impacted his standing in polls and among donors.
What have notable figures like Barack Obama and George Clooney said about Biden's re-election?
Both Barack Obama and George Clooney have expressed concerns about Biden's ability to lead, citing his age and recent errors as reasons why he should reconsider his candidacy for the Democratic Party.