Joe Biden under fire after claiming Syracuse University's Black trustee 'looks like Barack Obama'

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK: Former President Joe Biden is facing backlash after an onstage remark during a university event in which he compared a Black trustee to Barack Obama.

What drew laughter inside the room on Tuesday, April 14, has since triggered a wave of criticism online, with some users calling the comment awkward and racially insensitive, while others defended it as a lighthearted exchange taken out of context.

Online reactions split over Joe Biden's Obama comparison remark

As the clip circulated, criticism followed almost immediately.

Some users highlighted the remark as racially insensitive, arguing it echoed a stereotype.

One wrote, “Looks nothing like him,” while another commented, “He was apparently the president of the United States a little over a year ago.”

One comment added, “I look forward to seeing if any Democrats actually say something about this. If Trump said this, people would be calling for his head.”

Others questioned the appropriateness of the comparison in a formal setting, saying such remarks from a former president carry added weight.

At the same time, there was pushback against the outrage.

Some users defended Biden, pointing out that the exchange had a personal context.

Scruggs had allegedly mentioned backstage that his daughter wanted him to ask Biden whether he resembled Obama, suggesting the comment may have been intended as a playful nod.

Joe Biden's Syracuse event moment with a trustee goes viral

The incident unfolded at Syracuse University during Biden’s portrait unveiling ceremony.

Midway through the event, he called out trustee Jeffrey Scruggs and urged him to come up on stage.

“I always want to turn around to one guy and say, ‘Barack, what are you doing?’” Biden said, before repeatedly motioning, “Come here, come here, come here.”

Once Scruggs joined him, Biden added, “I feel like he should be standing on the right and I should be standing on the left. Doesn’t he look just like Barack?”

Scruggs laughed but appeared to shake his head at the comparison.

Biden wrapped the exchange with, “As they say, you’ve done good, fella,” to which Scruggs replied, “Well, you know, I try.”

While the room responded with laughter, the moment stood out for its awkwardness and quickly spread online after video clips surfaced.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.