During the White House’s 2023 Stanley Cup celebration, President Biden made a humorous yet notable gaffe by referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as “President Harris.” This slip of the tongue marks the latest in a series of instances where Biden has mistakenly called Harris the “president.” Despite the light-hearted nature of the mistake, it highlights concerns about Biden’s age and cognitive abilities.
In his speech honoring the Stanley Cup-winning Las Vegas Golden Knights, Biden, 80, quipped, “President Harris is here to make sure we do this the right way.” This slip-up follows at least six prior occasions where Biden has mistakenly referred to Harris as the president. In October 2022, he even wished her a happy birthday, calling her “a great president” during a White House event. These incidents raise questions about Biden’s mental acuity and attention to detail.
It is worth noting that Biden’s age has been a topic of discussion throughout his presidency. Turning 81 on November 20, Biden is the oldest person to ever serve as president. If re-elected to a second term, he would be 82 on inauguration day and 86 upon leaving office. His frequent slip-ups, including mistaking Harris for the “first lady” and calling her “President Harris” on multiple occasions, have fueled concerns about his fitness for office.
Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, has consistently defended Biden against age-related criticisms, both from within their own party and the opposition. In a recent interview with “60 Minutes,” Harris reassured the public that “Joe Biden is very much alive and running for re-election.” However, these repeated incidents of Biden mistakenly referring to Harris as the president may continue to fuel doubts about his ability to lead effectively.
Overall, while the incident itself may be seen as a lighthearted mistake, it raises valid concerns about Biden’s mental sharpness and attention to detail. As the oldest president in history, his frequent missteps, such as referring to Harris as “President Harris,” may have broader implications for his presidency and potential re-election bid.
