Biden fumbles in New York address, mistakenly welcoming leaders to ‘Washington’

During an address to world leaders in New York on Wednesday (September 25), US President Joe Biden seemed to be confused, mistakenly welcoming them to Washington instead of Midtown Manhattan, where the event was taking place.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. Welcome to Washington,” Biden, 81, said at the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel, where the gathering was held. This latest slip-up adds to concerns about the president’s mental wellbeing, which had previously prompted him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential campaign.

Without acknowledging the mistake, Biden moved on with his speech. He said, “Fellow leaders, friends, for 944 days [Russian President Vladimir} Putin has waged his vicious onslaught against Ukraine,” as Western leaders gathered to show their continued support for Kyiv.

The event coincided with the United Nations General Assembly, which took place earlier in the week in New York, where Biden also delivered an address.

Earlier, Biden had another awkward moment during a Quad meeting in Wilmington, Delaware, when he briefly struggled to introduce Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Cameras captured the president appearing confused about who was next to be introduced. “So, I want to thank you all for being here. And now, who am I introducing next?” he said, before pausing for a few seconds and asking again, “Who’s next?”

After a brief silence, a staff member pointed to the podium, allowing Biden to introduce Modi. Once Modi joined him on stage, Biden seemed to regain his composure, cracked a joke, and embraced the Indian Prime Minister.

Biden, who is the oldest president in US history, ended his bid for a second term on July 21, following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump, 78. He then endorsed Kamala Harris as his preferred candidate.

(With inputs from agencies)