Donald Trump has criticized Joe Biden for his confused and perplexed public appearances after he spoke at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this week.
Speaking to a crowd in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the former president, 77, insinuated that Biden, 80, needs to take medication to keep him fresh as he speaks to the crowd — but when it “wears off,” he suddenly stumbles and hits he confused.
The president joined world leaders on stage this week – including China’s Xi Jinping – in San Francisco for the annual APEC summit.
Trump told the cheering crowd on Saturday: “Our leader is a stupid person. Our leader cannot leave this stage. Do you see this stage?’
“When he finishes a speech, by the time it’s taken, whatever he took is gone… and he looks….”
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally on Saturday, November 18, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He insinuated that 80-year-old Biden needs to take medication to keep him sharp while speaking to a crowd — but when it “wears off” he suddenly stumbles and becomes confused.
President Joe Biden speaks during an informal dialogue at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit on Thursday, November 16. Indeed, Biden has had his fair share of trips, falls and mix-ups on the public stage
He then started mocking Biden, pretending to look confused and repeating, “Thank you, thank you.”
On Thursday, Biden appeared confused as he stood with world leaders and performed his signature awkward handshake as he left the stage at APEC.
RNC Research highlighted the moments on
One man appears to switch places with another as he poses for a photo, while Biden appears to look bemused by the incident.
Biden also waved the white flag rather than struggle to pronounce the challenging name of a corporate entity during remarks at the APEC summit.
While praising American business innovation, Biden decided to skip naming a business entity rather than trashing its name in comments about innovation and performance.
‘IBM, Organon, Visa. Look, they’re doing well, they’re making our region more resilient and more secure,” Biden said, renaming the companies.
“Here in this world-renowned center of innovation, leading tech companies like Anthropic and – I’m going to mispronounce it. I’m not even going to try,” Biden said, stopping himself.
“It’s better not to try and not pronounce it wrong than to try and mispronounce it,” he noted before continuing with his remarks. “The point is that start-up small and medium-sized businesses are also getting a focus,” Biden said.
His comment received a warm laugh from the crowd of dignitaries and officials from the Asia-Pacific region.
One man appears to switch places with another as he poses for a photo – while Biden appears to look bemused by the incident.
President Joe Biden appeared confused as he stood with world leaders at the APEC summit and performed his signature awkward handshake as he left the stage
US President Joe Biden arrives to stand for a family photo with world leaders participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit
This is not the first time that Republican front-runner Trump has targeted Biden for his senile behavior – which has become more apparent in recent months.
Trump has persistently nicknamed his 2020 rival ‘Sleepy Joe’ for his embarrassing public mistakes after apparently falling asleep during meetings and interviews in the run-up to the last election.
Indeed, Biden has had his fair share of stumbles, falls and confusions. On September 20, Biden 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 80-year-old Biden shuffled into a two-metre-tall Brazilian flag, causing it to wobble as he approached the stage.
On September 22, the president made another public gaffe when all eyes were on him during a keynote speech in Washington, DC.
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.
At the same event on Saturday, Trump suggested he will strike a trade deal with the Taliban if re-elected president in 2024.
The United States left the military facility on July 2, 2021 before U.S. forces completely withdrew from the country weeks later on August 30.
But former President Trump responded Saturday to the decision to hand control of Bagram Airfield to Afghan forces during a campaign rally in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
The 77-year-old claimed the base is an hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles and said it is now occupied by them.
He told the crowd he wanted to get Bagram Airfield back as part of a trade deal with Afghanistan.
“We would keep Bagram,” Trump told the crowd at the event. ‘Bagram is the largest base there is, anywhere in the world.
Trump has persistently nicknamed his 2020 rival ‘Sleepy Joe’ due to his embarrassing public mistakes after apparently falling asleep during meetings and interviews in the run-up to the last election
“The largest runways, the most powerful, can carry concrete 8 feet deep. They can hold everything and we’ve given up.’
He added that he did not want it for Afghanistan, but wanted to keep an eye on China.
“I wanted it because that’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles, and we gave up.
‘Why did we give up? This thing cost billions of dollars many years ago. We didn’t need it for Afghanistan, but it was right next to where they make their missiles, China.”
‘Now do you know who occupies it? China,” Trump claimed. “China occupies it. How stupid are these people? It’s so sad.’
However, he suggested he would get Bagram Airfield back if re-elected next year by striking a deal with Afghanistan, which has been ruled by Taliban warlords since President Biden withdrew from the country in August 2021.
Diplomacy with the extremist group seems unlikely. They were ousted from power by the US in 2001 for harboring September 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
“But we’ll get it back,” Trump said. “We’ll get it back, maybe we’ll get it back as part of a trade deal.
“Give us the damn airport back.”
Bagram Airfield was the largest US military base in Afghanistan at the time before it was secretly evacuated in July 2021.
It was returned to the Afghan government before falling into the hands of Taliban insurgents on August 15, 2021, after the NATO-trained Afghan army surrendered.
Trump’s visit to Iowa was part of his fall push to sign up supporters and volunteers for the state’s fast-approaching caucuses that will kick off the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
It was the latest in a series of targeted regional stops aimed at appealing to the large crowds the former president is drawing to press attendees to commit to voting for him and serving as county leaders on Jan. 15.
While Trump boasted that polls show him far ahead of other contenders, he urged attendees Saturday to show up on caucus day to “make sure we get a big win,” a signal to other candidates would be that they would have to drop out.
“Will you please give me a good show?” Trump asked the audience to applaud. “It’s the least you can do.”
Although Trump has a comfortable lead over his main rivals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, in early polls of likely caucus participants, Trump’s campaign has been more aggressive in Iowa than in any of the others states with early voting whatsoever.
And he continued to attack both DeSantis and Haley during his appearance Saturday, criticizing the Florida governor for his past opposition to federal ethanol mandates and for opposing Trump.
Trump has made regular stops in Iowa over the past eight weeks, appearing at eight events before audiences totaling more than 16,000 people, according to details provided by Trump’s Secret Service.
It’s part of a 2024 strategy that puts more emphasis on organizing than in his 2016 campaign, when he finished in second place.