President Joe Biden is facing even more criticism following his latest gaffe in which he called legendary rapper LL Cool J a “boy” after misusing his name during the Congressional Black Caucus on Saturday night.
LL Cool J and MC Lyte received Phoenix Awards for their musical contributions at the annual ceremony in Washington DC.
Standing on stage, the 80-year-old Biden said, “Two of the great artists of our time who represent the groundbreaking legacy of hip-hop in America, LL Jay Cool J, uhhh…” before stopping.
The president then added, “By the way, that boy, that man has biceps bigger than my thighs.”
Footage of the signature gaffe immediately sparked a barrage of criticism on social media, with former Fox host Trish Regan criticizing Biden for calling LL Cool J “boy” – a word she says has slavery connotations and is widely considered racist seen.
Joe Biden butchered his speech at the Congressional Black Caucus on Saturday night
Former Fox host Trish Regan slammed Biden for calling LL Cool J “boy.”
‘What’s wrong with this man? Why is he our president? And don’t tell me he’s going to run again…’ Regan said
The 80-year-old president called legendary rapper LL Cool J (pictured) a ‘boy’ after mispronouncing his name
“You don’t say boy when you’re talking about a grown man, especially a black man. Because it harkens back to the time of slavery and there are a lot of connotations to it,” she said.
“If you’re a normal person and you have some sensitivity, which this president clearly doesn’t have, you don’t say things like this.
‘What’s wrong with this man? Why is he our president? And don’t tell me he’s going to run again…’
Scores of social media users flocked at once.
On X, formerly Twitter, one user said: “Ohhh god make it stop PLLEASE. He’s making a total mockery of this country.”
Another accused him of being an “ignorant racist Democrat,” while one stated that “white supremacy is built into this man.”
‘Old habits die hard’ Boy ‘No joke,’ said one, while another added: “Joey likes the word ‘boy.’ Wonder where he picked that up?’
Others picked up on Biden’s mistake and forgot LL Cool J’s name, with one declaring that “dementia is coming.”
The blunder is the latest in a long line of missteps and mishaps by the 80-year-old president, whose approval rating currently stands at just 37 percent.
This is five percentage points lower than in February, and crucially, it is 10 points lower than his fierce 2020 Republican rival, Donald Trump, in the latest embarrassing Washington Post poll.
Meanwhile, there is a thunderous thunder of calls for him to withdraw from the fight for the next elections, from both the left and right of the political landscape.
Images of the characteristic blunder immediately sparked a flood of criticism on social media
Biden’s blunder on the Congressional Black Caucus stage was one of many last week.
On September 20, the president appeared to produce blunder after blunder as he stood on the UN podium next to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Lula da Silva, 77, appeared visibly irritated after the two leaders shared a stage to speak about their initiative to improve workers’ rights in each country – as Biden walked away without shaking his hand.
Their diplomatic meeting got off to a rocky start when Biden, 80, shuffled into a two-metre-tall Brazilian flag, causing it to wobble as he approached the stage.
The president gave a lengthy speech about his “economic vision to rebuild our economy from the center and bottom up, not top down,” as Lula watched from his right flank.
Meanwhile, during Lula’s speech, Biden fumbled with his headphones, which he used to hear a translated version.
“Can you hear me, President Biden? This is a historic moment for Brazil and for the US,” Lula said at the start of his speech.
Biden appeared to leave Lula hanging at the end of the diplomatic presentation, awkwardly greeting the audience before shuffling off stage. The series of mistakes and bad gestures was watched on the world stage – as the high-level meeting brings together world leaders at UN headquarters in New York
Biden continued to look confused as he struggled with the headset as Lula continued his speech. At one point, Biden dropped his earpiece and raised his eyebrows in frustration.
International Labor Organization Director General Gilbert Houngbo took the stage after the two world leaders, and Biden bent down to slowly pick up a folder from the ground.
Houngbo in turn shook hands with Biden and Lula at the end of his speech, but Biden appeared to leave Lula hanging as he awkwardly greeted the audience before shuffling off stage.
He seemed torn between giving a thumbs up or a greeting, and he made a sloppy gesture combining the two.
As Biden turned his back on the Brazilian president, Lula looked irritated and made a sweeping gesture with his arm. They left awkwardly on opposite sides.
The series of mistakes and bad gestures was watched on the world stage – as the high-level meeting brought together world leaders at the UN headquarters in New York.
Two days later, on September 22, the president made another public gaffe when all eyes were on him during a keynote speech in Washington, DC.
President Joe Biden falsely praised the “Congressional Black Caucus” during a speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Biden falsely praised the “Congressional Black Caucus” during a speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
The 80-year-old made the blunder during a speech at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 46th annual gala.
He had highlighted Sister Norma Pimental, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, for her gala award she won just before the mistake.
Biden praised her for following the lessons based on the Gospel of Matthew, before adding, “The Congressional Black Caucus embodies all of these values.”
“I know that Sister Norma lives the lessons that the nuns taught me growing up,” Biden said during the speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
“Lessons Based on the Gospel of Matthew: Feed the Hungry, Care for the Sick, Welcome Strangers.”
“They reflect what my father taught me, and I mean this sincerely, my father always said, ‘Everyone, everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.’
The president added, “The Congressional Black Caucus embodies all of these values,” without correcting his error.