President Biden botched a simple acronym while speaking to leaders from the Pacific Islands on Monday in his latest verbal gaffe.
Biden, 80, was at a loss as he tried to define the acronym for his administration’s Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative at a White House forum.
“Today I am pleased to announce that we are working with Congress to invest $40 billion in our Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative,” he told a roundtable of leaders. “We call it P, PI — anyway, it doesn’t matter what we call it but that’s what it is.”
“I’m going back to the acronym and I’m going to resist not doing that,” he added, drawing laughter from several people gathered at the 18-member forum.
Biden had a speech impediment as a child and has been open about his lifelong challenge to overcome a stutter.
However, those critical of the oldest US president have linked his recent weakness to his advancing age and questioned whether he is fit to lead the country for a second term.
“We call it P, PI — anyway, it doesn’t matter what we call it but it is,” Biden said, struggling. Getty Images
Biden’s recent missteps have led critics to question whether he is too old for a second term. Getty Images
Just last week, the commander-in-chief drew criticism for appearing confused on stage at the United Nations, where he tripped over a large Brazilian flag, then appeared to inadvertently mock Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva by walking away without shaking hands. .
Biden met with Pacific Island leaders to hear their warnings about the toll of climate change on their region and announced new US aid to help the islands prepare for its effects.
“I want you to know I hear you, the people of the United States and around the world hear you,” he told the leaders.
The US also formally established diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands and Niue, two South Pacific countries, during the summit.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
