Biden's Awkward Moments of Confusion in Normandy

Joe Biden was in Normandy to recognize the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Biden was scheduled to speak at 6:30 ET, but the speeches started late, forcing the elderly veterans to wait.

When they recognized the veterans who were there, it was beautiful to see the faces of those who had given so much for the defense of freedom as they stood to receive their recognition from French leader Emmanuel Macron. Their faces were lit with emotion as they received the Legion of Honor.

Here they were earlier being greeted by Macron's wife when they arrived in France.

French First Lady Brigitte Macron gives a warm welcome to American WWII veterans as they arrive in France ahead of the 80th anniversary of the D Day Normandy landings.

68 American veterans flew on a specially chartered flight from Dallas to honor their fallen comrades. pic.twitter.com/dqcqrhLqvN
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 4, 2024

But here was Biden when he finally shuffled up to the stage, looking out of it.

The Biden Shuffle pic.twitter.com/qhubKHgJ3k
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024

Yes, Joe — that empty chair is yours pic.twitter.com/0kPWuly20B
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024

But this was pretty bad. Biden got confused as everyone else was standing. He seemed to want to sit, but he was in front of the chair, reaching for nothing.

Awkward 😬 pic.twitter.com/3KNLco85hj
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024

Biden didn't end up speaking until 8:00 ET.

He slurred throughout the remarks, stumbling over words like "sir," which he made "sore" because he was having trouble with the teleprompter, and he mispronounced "sorties." He said we're not far off from the time when their voices will be silenced (maybe don't say that right in front of those warriors).

He used the anniversary to say that we had to continue to stand behind Ukraine and talk about the Russian dead.

BIDEN: "We're living in a time when democracy is more at risk across the world than any point since the end of the World War II, since these beaches were stormed" pic.twitter.com/hn4Q27Obuw
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024

Biden uses his D-Day address in Normandy to talk about how many Russians have been killed in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/6u4m0SNAIv
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024

Then, when he was finished speaking, Jill had to lead him out while Macron stayed behind with veterans.

Jill, Ed.D., escorts Joe Biden out as French President Macron stays behind to greet veterans pic.twitter.com/n4rpRgdbv5
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024

What a contrast, both in energy and honoring the men.

Someone, fortunately, had enough sense, at least on this occasion, to tell him not to make it overtly political or to talk about Beau. He has previously suggested Beau was among those killed in France when Beau died in 2015 (in the U.S.) from cancer. He also repeated the debunked hoax about former President Donald Trump.