Following President Biden's speech in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Republican National Committee (RNC) released several videos on X that portrayed Biden as confused and raised questions about his mental acuity.
The White House responded by dismissing these claims, labeling them as partisan attacks while defending Biden’s capabilities and leadership. Fox News reported that several videos posted by the RNC's research division showed President Biden appearing confused after his speech in Normandy.
The videos were released following Biden's speech commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday. In one clip, Biden was seen bending down and seeming unsure whether it was time to sit down.
During his speech, Biden misspoke, claiming that hundreds of thousands of Russian military personnel had been killed in Ukraine. This statement was quickly scrutinized, adding to the concerns about his cognitive abilities.
In an interview with ABC's David Muir, Biden stated that he had known Russian President Vladimir Putin for over 40 years. This claim raised eyebrows and was included in the RNC's compilation of moments suggesting Biden's mental decline.
Another video showed Biden walking off with his wife, Jill, while French President Emmanuel Macron continued to greet World War II veterans. This incident further fueled the RNC's narrative of Biden's confusion and detachment during official events.
In a hot mic moment, Biden told Macron that his advance team required him to be the first to leave, adding another layer to the perception of his inability to manage public appearances without incident.
The White House responded to these claims by stating that PolitiFact debunked the RNC's posts as baseless. "The event’s full video does not support these claims; neither do news reports or posts from people who attended," the White House stated.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates criticized the RNC for focusing on trivial matters. Bates referenced past instances where the RNC attacked Biden for actions such as petting a hero dog and enjoying ice cream.
Questions about Biden's mental acuity have been rising, especially following a Wall Street Journal report that quoted 45 lawmakers and administration officials. Biden, who is 81 years old, has faced skepticism about his ability to perform his duties from both Republicans and some Democrats.
Most criticism in the Wall Street Journal report came from Republicans, but there were also some Democrats who noted instances where Biden showed signs of his age. Despite these concerns, White House officials have dismissed these accounts as partisan-driven.
Bates emphasized that various leaders and experts consider Biden an effective leader with a notable legislative record. "Congressional Republicans, foreign leaders and nonpartisan national-security experts have made clear in their own words that President Biden is a savvy and effective leader," Bates stated.
Bates also accused Republicans of making false claims as a political strategy for the 2024 elections. He argued that these tactics flatly contradict previous statements made by the Republicans themselves and their colleagues.
The release of videos by the RNC depicting President Biden as confused has reignited the debate over his mental acuity.
While the White House has dismissed these claims as partisan attacks, the issue continues to garner attention.
Biden's recent statements and actions during public appearances have fueled skepticism, but White House officials maintain that he remains an effective leader with a strong legislative record.
In summary, following his speech in Normandy, the RNC's portrayal of Biden raised questions about his cognitive abilities, which the White House has strongly refuted, labeling the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
