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Biden said he's proud to be the 'first black woman' to serve in the White House in his latest verbal slip-up

Businessinsider 3 days ago
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Joe Biden is facing increasing pressure to drop out of the presidential race. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
  • Biden described himself as the "first black woman" in an interview with Wurd radio station.
  • It comes just days after Biden's disastrous debate with former US president Donald Trump.
  • Biden said he needs to get more sleep and stop holding events after 8 p.m., according to reports.

Joe Biden's argument that his disastrous debate performance last week was a one-off is seemingly falling apart.

In his latest verbal slip-up, the president said he is "proud" to be the first "black woman to serve with a black president."

The 81-year-old president made the gaffe during an interview with Philadelphia's Wurd radio station, apparently confusing himself with his vice-president Kamala Harris.

"By the way, I'm proud to be, as I said, the first vice-president, first black woman…to serve with a black president," he said

It comes just days after Biden's debate with former US president Donald Trump, which was marked by verbal gaffes and confusing statements.

Biden is now facing increasing pressure to drop out of the presidential race. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed one in three Democrats favored Biden quitting.

The Biden camp has offered multiple explanations for the president's slurred words, nonsensical phrases, and vacant stares, including jet lag, a cold, and incompetent aides.

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But donors have publicly voiced their concerns with what they say are Biden's age-related problems.

On Thursday, millionaire heiress Abigail Disney announced that she would stop donations to the Democratic Party until they "pulled Biden from the top of the ticket".

Her statements echoed that of Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, who told The New York Times that "Biden needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous."

Biden has admitted to supporters he does not speak as "smoothly" or "debate as well" as he used to, but has publicly vowed to fight on.

Axios, citing people close to the president, said Biden worked best between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and struggled to function outside of that window.

His press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, admitted to reporters that "he's a little slower than he used to be."

Biden told the governors he needs to get more sleep and stop holding events after 8 p.m., according to CNN and The New York Times.

Biden's campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider about the reports.

On Friday, Biden's mental acuity will be scrutinized when he sits for an interview with ABC News's George Stephanopoulos, who used to be head of communications at the White House during Bill Clinton's presidency.

Biden's previous interactions with Stephanopolous include a rare sit-down appearance in 2021, where he defended the US decision to pull its troops from Afghanistan.

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