Politics

Biden tells Arizona voters ‘Elect me, I’m in the 20th century’ in latest gaffe

Biden says ‘elect me, I’m in the 20th Century’ during a joint news conference with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida
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WASHINGTON — President Biden said Wednesday that voters should “Elect me, I’m in the 20th century” — another brutal gaffe that instantly went viral among critics who say he’s too old for another four-year term.

Biden, 81, made the statement during the conclusion of a joint press conference in the White House Rose Garden alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

“Why doesn’t everybody holler at once?” the president groused as journalists shouted questions at him, before pausing to answer several queries from reporters who had not been pre-selected by his press officers.

President Biden told Arizona voters to elect him because he is “from the 20th century.” Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Abortion rights activists at a rally outside of the Arizona state Capitol in Phoenix on April 9, 2024. Joel Angel Juarez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Peter Alexander of NBC News asked Biden to address the issue of abortion in Arizona, where the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that an 1864 law banning abortion from the moment of conception remains in effect, with only a narrow exception to save the life of a mother.

“Elect me,” Biden replied when asked for his reaction.

“I’m in the 20, 20th century,” said the president, who regularly attracts negative commentary for appearing confused in public or misstating significant facts.

A moment later, Biden caught himself and added, “21st century, not back then. They weren’t even a state.”

Biden made the remarks during a joint press conference with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

The nation’s oldest-ever president trailed off as reporters shouted additional unrelated questions.

In response to a different reporter’s question about how the war in Ukraine may end, Biden said, “The war in Ukraine comes to an end by the House leader allowing a vote [on additional military aid].”

Polls consistently show broad voter concern about Biden’s mental fitness for office. He would be 86 if he completes a full second term in 2029.

Former President Donald Trump, 77, is nearly as old as Biden, but argues that he retains his cognitive abilities better than his successor, a statement that polls indicate most Americans agree with.