President Joe Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin while introducing him at a NATO event, shortly before referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, during a live press conference on Thursday (July 11).
“Now, I want to hand it over the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentleman, President Putin,” Biden said before correcting himself. “President Putin? He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky. I’m so focused on beating Putin, we’ve got to worry about it. Anyway, Mr. President.”
“I’m better,” Zelensky responded, referencing the president of the country that initially invaded his in February 2022.
“You are, a hell of a lot better,” Biden said.
Biden later mistakenly called Vice President Harris “Vice President Trump” when asked during a live press conference if he felt she was suited to serve as a presidential candidate amid rumors of Harris stepping in as a potential replacement to be the Democratic presidential nominee.
“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I think she’s not qualified to be president. So let’s start there,” Biden said.
The live press conference came amid reports of uncertainty regarding the president’s re-election campaign as a top campaign official reportedly told at least one megadonor that Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 election is “only a matter of time” privately according to TMZ, as well as multiple Democratic officials publicly calling for him to drop out. The official reportedly said that focus had shifted from singular support of the president’s re-election to “Democrats have to retain The White House” following Biden’s disastrous performance in the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.
Biden, the oldest president in history, appeared opposite Trump, on the debate stage for the first time since the 2020 election and did little to quell concerns about his vigor and energy. The president appeared to struggle with his voice, clearing his throat and coughing multiple times, and was often seen open-mouthed and staring when Trump spoke, occasionally struggling to finish sentences.
Biden’s performance reportedly led to “panic” among Democrats, according to longtime Democratic operative and CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod.
“He seemed a little disoriented. He did get stronger as the debate went on. But by that time, I think the panic had set in,” Axelrod said, adding that “there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”
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