Ahead of his make-or-break post-NATO press conference Thursday evening, President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" as Democrats call for him to step down amid concerns over his fitness to serve another term.
In the press conference later Biden referred to Donald Trump as "Vice President Trump" as he was discussing Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president [if] I think she's not qualified to be president," Biden told reporters.
Biden's unforgettable fumble in his comments at the NATO event earlier in the day was met by audible gasps in the room, according to the Associated Press.
Biden, 81, was at the podium announcing a compact that would unite NATO allies in Ukraine's war against Russia, when he made the flub.
After referring to Zelenskyy as "President Putin," Biden quickly added: "President Putin – he's going to beat President Putin... President Zelenskyy."
"I'm so focused on beating Putin," Biden explained.
"I'm better," Zelenskyy responded, the AP reported.
"You're a hell of a lot better," Biden agreed.
🇺🇸🇺🇦 Watch Zelensky's reaction as Biden calls him Putin 😭 pic.twitter.com/TfVoAoryDX
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) July 11, 2024
Joe Biden mistakenly calls Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump.”
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 11, 2024
pic.twitter.com/VVSuMfCQRH
Biden's brief but shocking confusion over the Ukrainian president's name and the Trump stumble comes as questions continue to swirl around his age, health, and capacity to lead the U.S. for four more years, following his high-profile June 27 debate fiasco.
His problematic performance on the Atlanta stage has since prompted 13 House Democrats and one Senate Democrat to call on the President to quit his campaign.
Biden over the weekend defended his wobbly performance, chalking it up to a cold and sleep deprivation, and has repeatedly declined to withdraw from the race.
In a letter to Hill Democrats Monday, he swore, "I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump."
