Joe Biden repeatedly mixes up Syria and Libya while discussing ways of working with Russia in latest press conference blunder ahead of meeting with Putin
- Biden, 78, was discussing cooperation with Russia at the G7 summit on Sunday
- He gave vivid details on the suffering of the people of Libya - but he meant Syria
- White House later clarified he meant the Middle Eastern country not the African
- Comes ahead of meeting with Putin at a Swiss chateau overlooking Lake Geneva
Joe Biden repeatedly confused Syria with Libya while discussing ways of working with Russia during a press conference at the G7 on Sunday.
The 78-year-old gaffe machine spoke of working with Vladimir Putin to provide economic assistance to the people of Libya, prompting some confused glances from the press pack at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England.
'I'm hopeful that we can find an accommodation where we can save the lives of people in — for example, in — in Libya,' the president said, mentioning the north African country for the third time instead of Syria, which is in the Middle East.
The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that the president was indeed referring to Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war.
'I'm hopeful that we can find an accommodation where we can save the lives of people in — for example, in — in Libya,' the president said, mentioning the north African country for the third time instead of Syria, in the Middle East
The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that it was indeed, Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war, which the president was referring to
Some had guessed that he was confused when he mentioned Libya, which most would not put at the top of a list when sitting down to negotiate with Putin.
Although there are similarities between the two countries - both have been plagued by civil war, Islamism and seen the military intervention of Washington and Moscow - these are only surface issues.
Lebanese geopolitical commentator Sarah Abdallah tweeted: 'I guess when you're bombing so many countries at once, it's hard to keep up.'
The blunder came days after he called Britain's Royal Air Force the 'RFA' while addressing US military personnel at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk during his first-ever speech as President on British soil.
Mr Biden told US troops: 'These partnerships have been hardened in the fire of war. Generations of Americans and service members fought them. Like the original Bloody Hundredth, and those RFA pilots.'
He had already been admonished by his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, who told him to 'pay attention' as the President stared at troops positioned behind the stage at the military base.
The US commander-in-chief, the oldest ever to occupy the White House, has been the subject of repeated questions about his mental faculties and fitness to be in charge of the world's largest nuclear arsenal.
He is known to make mistakes, have mix-ups or even digress during speeches or while answering questions.
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And British pro-Brexit politicians today called him 'senile' in a feud over White House accusations that Boris Johnson has 'inflamed' tensions in Northern Ireland in a dispute with the EU over trade arrangements.
In March, the President was seen falling up the stairs three times while boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews before finally reaching the top and saluting. White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later claimed that he had been blown over by the wind.
Biden also referred to his vice president Kamala Harris as 'President Harris', forgotten the name of his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and confused his granddaughter with his late son, Beau.
His most recent gaffe came on the last day of the G7 summit of world leaders in Cornwall, southeast England.
Biden and First Lady Jill with the Queen at Windsor Castle on Sunday
Biden as VP meeting Putin in 2011. The pair are set for another in Switzerland on Wednesday, with a lot more on the table this time
The countries include Britain, the US, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Italy, but Biden is planning to meet Putin in Switzerland on Wednesday - a summit organised following a rise in tensions at the Ukrainian border which led to fears of an invasion in mid-April.
Biden and First Lady Jill visited the Queen for a private audience at Buckingham Palace later on Sunday. He is the 13th president to meet the 95-year-old monarch.
He is due to meet with European Union chiefs in Brussels on Tuesday before travelling to Switzerland.
'We expect this meeting to be candid and straightforward,' a White House official said.
Biden is set to discuss the Kremlin's frayed relationship with the West, including cyber attacks on the United States, aggression against Ukraine and the jailing of dissidents.
Biden referred to Putin as a 'killer' in an interview in March.
Asked about this characterisation by a US broadcaster last week, Putin said: 'This is not something I worry about in the least.'
Tripping up the stairs, calling Kamala Harris 'president' and introducing his granddaughter as his late son: Biden's numerous gaffes over the years
Over the past few years, President Joe Biden has made the news for things he's said and done - but not related to policy.
Rather the 78-year-old has had a knack for gaffes.
During speeches or while answering questions, Biden is known to make mistakes, have mix-ups or even digress.
The commander-in-chief has even been caught tripping a time or two, raising speculation about his physical health.
DailyMail.com has compiled many of Biden's notable mis-speaks. foot-in-mouth moments and slips.
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Over the years, President Joe Biden has made numerous gaffes and mix-ups and has even been caught falling. Pictured: Biden falling while walking up the stairs of Air Force One
TRIPPING WHILE BOARDING AIR FORCE ONE
On Friday, video captured Biden tripping up the stairs as he boarded Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews.
In the clip, Biden stumbles as he walks up the airstairs. He grabs the hand railing to catch his balance, but then loses his footing two additional times.
During the third stumble, he falls to his knees. However, after brushing off his leg, he reaches the top of the plane and gives a salute before disappearing inside.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later told reporters that Biden was '100 percent fine' and preparing for his trip in Atlanta.
'It's pretty windy outside. It's very windy. I almost fell coming up the steps myself,' she said.
On Friday, he was caught tripping up the stairs as he boarded Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews
CALLING KAMALA 'PRESIDENT HARRIS'
Just one day earlier, Biden accidentally referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris.'
The gaffe occurred during a press conference on Thursday, during which he lauded his administration for being close to meeting their goal of 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in his first 100 days in office.
'Now when President Harris and I took a virtual tour of a vaccination center in Arizona not long ago, one of the nurses on that, on that tour injecting people, giving vaccinations, said that each shot was like administering a dose of hope,' Biden said.
Harris was standing behind Biden as the president carried on with his speech, but did not correct himself.
Later that day, when the White House released the transcript of his speech, Harris's proper title was inserted with brackets.
Just one day earlier, during a press conference on Thursday (pictured), he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris'
FORGOT NAME OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
In a speech on March 9, Biden seemed to fumble with his words and forget the name of his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
'I want to thank Sec - the former general - I keep calling him 'General,'' Biden said.
'My - the guy who runs that outfit over there. I want to make sure we thank the Secretary for all he's done to try to implement what we've just talked about, and for recommending these two women for promotion.'
The slip-occurred despite the fact that just a few minutes earlier, he had mentioned Austin's name in the speech without an issue.
Earlier this month, while making a speech, Biden seemed to forget the name of his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (above)
INTRODUCES GRANDDAUGHTER AS HIS SON
During an Election Day speech in Philadelphia, Biden stumbled over his words and confused his granddaughter with his late son, Beau Biden.
Biden told the crowd: 'I want to introduce you to two of my granddaughters...this is my son, Beau Biden who a lot of you helped elect to the Senate in Delaware.'
The commander-in-chief had meant to introduce the crowed to Natalie, Beau's daughter, but hadn't just mixed up the name but the person - he also put his arm around Finnegan Biden, Hunter's daughter.
He finally corrected himself as he draped his arm around Natalie's shoulder and said: 'This is Natalie, this is Beau's daughter.'
Beau Biden passed away in 2015 after a months-long battle with glioblastoma, one of the deadliest types of brain cancer.
On Election Day, in November, Biden introduced a crowd to his granddaughter, but referred to her as his son
TOLD STATE SENATOR IN WHEELCHAIR TO STAND UP
Not all of Biden's gaffes occurred in the 2020s or even the 2010s. In fact, some happened in the early aughts.
In September 2008, after Biden had been named former President Barack Obama's running mate, he attended a campaign rally in Missouri.
It was there that he called on then-Missouri state senator Chuck Graham, who passed away last year. to stand up for the crowd.
In 2008, Biden told then-Missouri state senator Chuck Graham to stand up for the crowd at a rally, before realizing he was in a wheelchair
'I'm told Chuck Graham, state senator, is here. Stand up Chuck, let 'em see you,' Biden said.
It was at that moment he realized Graham was in a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy.
'Oh, God love you. What am I talking about. I'll tell you what, you're making everybody else stand up, though, pal.'
According to the Columbia Tribune, Graham said he was never offended by the mistake.
