US President Joe Biden left the audience at an event in the US state of Connecticut on Friday by ending a speech with a curious remark. After speaking at a security summit on tightening gun laws, the 80-year-old Democrat shouted “God save the Queen” from the stage before putting down the microphone. What Biden meant by that and which queen he was referring to was unclear.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II had died in September 2022 and was replaced by a king – her son Charles – making the remark particularly inappropriate. Biden attended the Queen’s funeral.
A journalist who accompanies the President on his trip was also at a loss in view of the statement. “Several of you have asked me why he could have said that. I have no idea,” he explained.
Later, Assistant White House Press Secretary Olivia Dalton partially solved the mystery, saying Biden meant “someone in the crowd.” She didn’t give any details.
The US President is known for his regular verbal slips. His Republican opponents interpret this as a sign of mental confusion due to his old age.
According to polls, a majority of voters think Joe Biden is too old to run again in the 2024 presidential election. The Democrat would be 86 years old at the end of a second term.