Outrage as Biden claims to have 'spoken to American hostage' found dead in Hamas tunnel in latest gaffe

WASHINGTON, DC: President Biden raised eyebrows on Monday, September 2, when he claimed to have “spoken to” an American hostage who was recently discovered dead in a Hamas tunnel.

Biden, 81, was asked whether he had a message for the families of six hostages who were found dead in a Hamas tunnel by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) over the weekend.

Among these hostages was Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a young man who had been held captive for nearly 11 months since his abduction from a music festival on October 7. Goldberg-Polin tragically lost his left hand in a grenade attack while being dragged into Gaza.

Joe Biden's gaffe

Biden told reporters, “I’ve spoken to the American hostage,” seemingly referring to Goldberg-Polin. “I spoke to his mom and dad, and we’re not giving up. We’re going to continue to push as hard as we can.”

But Goldberg-Poli had already been confirmed dead at this point, making it impossible for Biden to have spoken directly with him.

The White House has yet to clarify which hostage the president was referencing, though it was confirmed that Biden had indeed spoken with Goldberg-Polin’s family on Sunday following the identification of their son’s remains.

After meeting with Goldberg-Polin’s family, Biden released a statement. “I am devastated and outraged,” he wrote, adding that “Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.”

“I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable,” the president continued.

“They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions.”

“I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express. I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will,” he added.

Hostage crisis

The tragedy of Goldberg-Polin’s death is part of a much larger crisis. On October 7 last year, over 250 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza during a series of brutal attacks and abductions carried out by Hamas.

The harrowing incident sparked widespread outrage and demand for action. Protests erupted in Israel as citizens urged their government to prioritize securing a hostage deal with Hamas.

In November, Israel and Hamas engaged in a prisoner exchange that resulted in the release of 105 hostages. However, an estimated 101 hostages remain in captivity within the Gaza Strip.

The ongoing crisis has put immense pressure on leaders. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Biden suggested that Netanyahu was not doing enough to resolve the hostage situation, although he was still hopeful that a deal might be forthcoming, the New York Post reported.

Biden’s remarks came on the heels of his return to the White House after a two-week vacation in California and Delaware. Upon his return, he met with his national security team to discuss the Israel hostage situation. Later in the day, he was scheduled to attend a campaign event with Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Biden mocked on social media

That said, the president’s apparent gaffe did not go unnoticed. Many on social media excoriated Biden for saying he had "spoken" to the dead hostage.

"Someone take this idiot to Visiting Angels already!" one posted on X.

"I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to think Biden is speaking to dead people," another quipped.

"Reminder: Kamala Harris assured us 8 weeks ago that he was sharp and ready to lead the nation 4 more years," a third user noted.

"Good grief. Why doesn’t he just stay at the beach and stop embarrassing himself and all of us?" someone else asked.

"Why are they even asking Biden any questions? They know he is not able to answer them with any certainty. The man has dementia. He should even be in the White House, let alone president," read a comment.

"Biden is an embarrassment to his office and a blight on the history of our country. Hopefully, enough Americans will see through the lies they've been fed by the mainstream media when they vote in this election," another offered.

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