'Lost in the sauce': Biden trolled as he mistakes audience member for Hamas-held hostage in latest gaffe

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for Israel during a speech at the White House on Monday, May 20, amidst heightened tensions following the International Criminal Court's (ICC) issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Speaking at a Jewish American Heritage Month celebration in the Rose Garden, Biden categorically denied accusations of genocide against Israel and underscored his administration's efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Biden mistakenly identifies Hamas-held hostage in Rose Garden audience

"My administration is working around the clock to free the remaining hostages just as we have freed some hostages already. Here with us today is Hersh Goldberg-Polin. He's not here. He's still being held hostage," Biden stated, correcting himself after initially suggesting Goldberg-Polin was present.

Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli American, has been held hostage since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, the New York Post reported.

Throughout his remarks, Biden reiterated his support for Israel, declaring, "What is happening is not genocide. We reject that." The audience, which included Biden's son Hunter and his wife Melissa Cohen, a Jewish American, responded with applause.

Biden highlighted his "ironclad" commitment to Israel and lauded the Jewish people's contributions to arts, science, and culture.

The timing of Biden's remarks coincided with British prosecutor Karim Khan's announcement of seeking ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as three Hamas leaders, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October 7 attack and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Biden pushes back against ICC warrants against Israel leaders

Biden dismissed the charges, emphasizing the lack of equivalence between Israel and Hamas. "Whatever these warrants may imply, there are no similarities between Israel and Hamas," he asserted.

Earlier in the day, Biden had condemned the ICC's move as "outrageous" in a formal statement.

"The ICC prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security," Biden declared.

The State Department also issued a forceful rebuke, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken denouncing the ICC's attempt to equate Israel with Hamas.

"We reject the Prosecutor’s equivalence of Israel with Hamas. It is shameful. Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that carried out the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and is still holding dozens of innocent people hostage, including Americans," Blinken stated.

White House spokesman John Kirby echoed this sentiment, saying, "We don't believe the ICC has any jurisdiction in the matter."

In Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the ICC's actions and suggested potential sanctions against the court.

"The ICC has no authority over Israel or the United States, and today’s baseless and illegitimate decision should face global condemnation," Johnson said.

"Congress is reviewing all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure its leadership faces consequences if they proceed. If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israeli leaders, ours could be next."

Israel's reaction to the ICC's warrants was equally forceful. An Israeli official denounced the court's actions as a "baseless blood libel," while President Isaac Herzog labeled the move "outrageous," asserting it "cannot be accepted by anyone."

"The ICC prosecutor's baseless blood libel against Israel has crossed a red line in his lawfare efforts against the lone Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East," the official said, as quoted by the Financial Times, adding, "The blood libel will not deter Israel from defending itself and accomplishing all its just war objectives" in Gaza.

Biden mocked on social media over hostage gaffe

Despite Biden's strong defense of Israel, his mistaken claim that Hersh Goldberg-Polin - a hostage held by Hamas - was present at the event sparked a wave of mockery online.

"Biden is lost in the sauce. I just can’t believe people are okay with him running this country. This is a national security threat," one posted on X.

"We are the laughing stock of the entire world," another wrote.

"You never make a mistake like that. No one, let alone the president of the United States," a comment read.

"He can hardly speak, let alone read the teleprompters. This is ludicrous," someone else added.

"This is the oddest way to tank an election," another offered.

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.