Joe Biden's current disposition and capacity to remain at the head of the world's leading power was once again called into question in Vietnam. The president, visibly confused, attended a meeting with the media in Hanoi where he wove together a surreal speech, full of inconsistencies from his first words (he confused the movie Good Morning Vietnam with a song) right through to the very end. The president's team intervened in order to cut short the appearance as Biden tried to talk about U.S. relations with "the third world."
Biden attempted to create a cheerful and festive atmosphere during his press conference, but only sowed confusion, starting as early as his greeting to the journalists present:
Good evening, everyone. It's night, isn't it? This around-the-world-in-five-days thing is interesting. Well, one of my collaborators said, "Remember the famous song "Good morning, Vietnam"? Well, good night, Vietnam.
BIDEN: "Good evening, everyone. It is evening, isn't it? This around the world in five days is interesting. Well, one of my staff members said, 'Remember the famous song, Good Morning, Vietnam?' Well, good evening, Vietnam." pic.twitter.com/PjvBtiVcLN
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 10, 2023
A China relationship "going from strength to strength"
After stressing that his Asian journey did not seek allies to contain China, but to strengthen ties. "I don’t want to contain China. I just want to make sure that we have a relationship with China that is on the up and up, squared away," he said.
Asked about climate change, Biden surprised those present again by referring to John Wayne and Indian and Cowboy Movies: "The Indian looks at John Wayne and points to the Union soldier and says, “He’s a lying, dog-faced pony soldier. Well, there’s a lot of lying, dog-faced pony soldiers out there — about global warming — but not anymore. All of a sudden, they’re all realizing it’s a problem. And there’s nothing like seeing the light.
Biden, visibly confused: "I will follow my orders here"
Afterward, the president, visibly confused, approached the lectern and began to go through his notes while appearing to ramble: "I'll just follow my orders here. Personal, is there anybody who hasn't spoken yet? I'm not calling you."
Biden gets confused during his press conference in Vietnam:
"I'll just follow my orders here. Staff, is there anybody that hasn't spoken yet?" pic.twitter.com/uh97auK5Kj
— VOZ (@Voz_US) September 10, 2023
"I have a gameplan"
To top it off, Biden joked about the need to have a game plan, telling reporters: "And look, nobody likes having celebrated international meetings if you don’t know what you want at the meeting, if you don’t have a gameplan. But I tell you what, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to go to bed." He then tried to explain U.S. relations with "the third world," which he connected to "the southern hemisphere" when he was interrupted by Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, who interrupted the hearing abruptly, as the president continued to speak.
What is happening??
Biden is struggling to answer a question (listen to pause between each word) before saying:
"I'll tell you what, I don't know about you, but I'm gonna go to bed"
Moments later his staffers abruptly cut him off and end presser@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/4cg70EYWMG
— Brianna Lyman (@briannalyman2) September 10, 2023
