Biden in another cringe-worthy gaffe as President confuses Ukraine and Nato
Joe Biden has been embroiled in yet another cringe-worthy gaffe as he appeared to be confused over a Congressional funding bill for Ukraine.
Speaking briefly to reporters while on holiday in Delaware, the US president called for “Congress to come home and pass the legislation funding Nato”.
However, the legislation is not a Nato funding bill but rather one for Ukraine which is not yet a member of the security alliance.
“The idea that we’re going to walk away from Ukraine; the idea that we’re going to let Nato begin to split is totally against the idea of the United States of America,” Biden said.
“It is against our word and troops that we’ve sent over all the way back to Eisenhower.
“So it is about time Congress come home and pass the legislation funding Nato. It’s critical.”
Around $61billion (£48.5billion) of the $95billion (£75.5billion) funding would be sent to Ukraine if the bill is passed.
Finances from the bill would not only go towards Ukraine in the form of military equipment but would also take the form of humanitarian aid to Israel and Gaza.
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Biden, on vacation in Delaware, calls on “Congress come home and pass the legislation funding NATO.”
Ukraine isn’t in NATO — neither are Israel and Taiwan.pic.twitter.com/VAdPBt7ZSS
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 18, 2024
Additional foreign aid would also be sent to the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan.
The gaffe comes after a top Democrat insisted that Biden’s “mental acuity is great”.
Chuck Schumer dismissed reports that the president’s memory was failing as simply Republican “propaganda”.
Speaking at a press conference about whether the President would be fit for a second term, Schumer said: “I talk to President Biden, you know, regularly.
“Or sometimes several times in a week, usually several times in a week.
“His mental acuity is great. It’s fine, it’s as good as it’s been over the years.
“I’ve been speaking to him for 30 years, since we worked on the Brady Bill and the assault weapons ban when I was a young congressman. And he’s — he’s fine.
“All this right-wing propaganda that his mental acuity has declined is wrong.”
A poll released last week by Ipsos’ Knowledge panel showed 86 per cent of Americans think the 81-year-old is too old to serve another term.
Also in the majority threshold, Trump, 77, is also thought to be too old (62 per cent) to serve a non-consecutive second term in the White House.
Responding to questions about his age, Biden said: “I am well-meaning. And I’m an elderly man. And I know what the hell I’m doing.
“I’ve been president – I put this country back on its feet. I don’t need his recommendation.”