Joe Biden stumbles in civil rights speech and makes embarrassing gaffe about his time as VP

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden, 81, once again found himself at the center of controversy after stumbling over his words during a civil rights speech at a White House ceremony on Friday, August 16.

The event, held in Springfield, Illinois, was to honor the victims of the 1908 race riots with the dedication of a new national monument. However, Biden's speech took an unexpected turn when he mistakenly stated that he had served as vice president for 12 years, as per New York Post.

Joe Biden makes notable gaffe about his time as VP during civil rights speech

“I never thought that, having been in the Senate for so many years as well as vice president for 12 years," Joe Biden began, before quickly catching his error and correcting himself, saying, "For eight years and president for four years — that I’d see, that I’d have to worry about people wanting to erase history."

The president's misstatement added fuel to ongoing debates about his cognitive abilities, a topic that has been frequently discussed by his critics.

The blunder also drew attention to Biden’s broader message, in which he criticized efforts to ban discussions of Critical Race Theory (CRT).

Biden emphasized the importance of remembering history, particularly events like the Springfield race riots, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

"It’s important, important, important that anybody that walks by this area knows what happened here because it could happen again if we don’t take care of ourselves and fight for this democracy," he stressed.

The new monument, featuring sculptures by local artist Preston Jackson, serves as a somber reminder of the Black residents of Springfield who were lynched by a White mob in August 1908.

The riots, which claimed the lives of at least 17 people, including both Black residents and members of the White mob, are a dark chapter in America’s history.

Biden’s dedication of the monument was meant to honor those who lost their lives and to highlight the ongoing fight against racial injustice. However, his slip of the tongue overshadowed the significance of the event, leading many to question his ability to lead.

Just weeks earlier, Biden faced widespread criticism for his performance in a presidential debate against former president Donald Trump on June 27.

Throughout the 90-minute discussion, Biden appeared to struggle, mumbling at times and losing his train of thought on multiple occasions. His inconsistent delivery left many viewers puzzled and concerned about his cognitive state.

Joe Biden's recent gaffe sparks trolling across social media

Joe Biden’s recent gaffe about his years as vice president sparked trolling reactions across social media.

One X user remarked, "The man should not be in the White House, his mind is gone." Another said, "Sad this man @JoeBiden is actually still President of the United States of America, what could possibly go wrong?"

Another wrote, "Brain dead and 'running' the country. Pathetic." A user stated, "Ok Joe. Go get some ice cream and take a nap."

Another added, "ALZHEIMERS JOE TO THE RESCUE." A comment read, "The dude is a complete vegetable needs to resign."

Someone else remarked, "That’s precisely why Trump had such a lead." One individual said, "12 years, 8 years it's all the same when you have dementia."

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