'I see dead people': All the times Joe Biden has claimed to have seen or met deceased leaders

Biden's brushes with the departed: Recollections of meeting deceased figures

President Joe Biden has faced scrutiny for his repeated claims of interacting with deceased individuals, including world leaders and public figures. These instances have raised concerns about his cognitive abilities and attention to detail.

Helmut Kohl and Francois Mitterrand

Biden recalled conversations with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and French President Francois Mitterrand at the G7 summit in 2021, despite both leaders having died in 2017 and 1996, respectively. "Helmut Kohl of Germany looked at me and said, 'What would you say, Mr President, if you picked up the London Times tomorrow morning and learned there's 1000 broken down the doors of the British parliament, killed some [inaudible] on the way in to deny the next prime minister to take office. And you think, what would we think?" Biden claimed at the event, before recalling another such anecdote with Mitterrand.

Margaret Thatcher

In 2019, Biden mistakenly referred to a conversation with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher instead of Theresa May, showcasing another instance of confusion regarding deceased leaders. "Margaret Thatcher – um, excuse me, Margaret Thatcher, Freudian slip," he said at the time, before realizing his mistake and correcting himself. "But I knew her too."

Jackie Walorski

During a conference in September 2022, Biden mentioned deceased Indiana Republican Rep Jackie Walorski, who died in August 2022, indicating a lapse in awareness of current events. "Jackie, are you here? Where's Jackie?" Biden said as he looked for her in a crowd of lawmakers. "She must not be here." The White House brushed off the incident by saying the congresswoman was simply "top of mind" for the president. 

Frederick Banting

In a speech in November 2022, Biden referenced a conversation with the inventor of insulin, Canadian medical scientist and physician Frederick Banting, despite the latter having died in 1941. “Do you know how much it costs to make that insulin drug for diabetes? … It was invented by a man who did not patent it because he wanted it available for everyone. I spoke to him, OK?” Biden claimed.

White House responses

The White House has consistently defended President Biden's mistakes, attributing them to common errors in public speaking. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has dismissed concerns about Biden's mental fitness, pointing to his busy schedule and the prevalence of misspeaking among public figures.

Public concerns and polling data

Despite official reassurances, public concerns about President Biden's mental and physical health persist. According to a recent NBC poll, a total of 76 percent of voters express major or moderate concerns regarding Biden's ability to serve a second term as president, citing worries about his mental acuity and physical stamina.