Trump mocks Biden for failing to broker Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal: 'Probably tried for 12 minutes'

Donald Trump made the remark during the announcement of a US-brokered agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at ending decades of hostility
PUBLISHED AUG 9, 2025
Donald Trump took a jab at Joe Biden as Azerbaijan’s president and Armenia’s prime minister met at the White House to sign a peace accord (Getty Images)
Donald Trump took a jab at Joe Biden as Azerbaijan’s president and Armenia’s prime minister met at the White House to sign a peace accord (Getty Images)


 

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump turned a high-profile White House peace accord ceremony into a moment of political theater on Friday, August 8, reviving his once-favorite nickname “Sleepy Joe” for former President Joe Biden.

The remark came during the announcement of a US-brokered agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a deal aimed at ending decades of hostility between the two nations.

The unexpected jab visibly startled the foreign leaders seated beside him, with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev laughing and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan raising his eyebrows toward the audience.

U.S. President Donald Trump (C), Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (L), and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) hold up an agreement signed during a ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House on August 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. The signed agreement is intended to bring an end to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that has lasted for decades. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hold up an agreement signed during a ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House on August 8, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Donald Trump uses peace deal platform to mock Joe Biden

The signing ceremony, held in the White House, celebrated the conclusion of intense negotiations that brought an end to one of the world’s longest-running territorial disputes. After thanking key dignitaries, including real estate developer Steve Witkoff, whom Trump jokingly dubbed “Henry Kissinger who doesn’t leak,” the president shifted into his trademark brand of political humor.

 U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to honor recipients of the Purple Heart in the East Room of the White House on August 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. The ceremony recognizes 100 veterans who were wounded in military action. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks during an event to honor recipients of the Purple Heart in the East Room of the White House on August 7, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“For more than 35 years, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a bitter conflict that resulted in tremendous suffering for both nations,” the 79-year-old said, noting the failed mediation attempts by various international actors.

“The Russians worked very hard on it. Never happened. Sleepy Joe Biden tried,” he paused, prompting Aliyev’s laughter and Pashinyan’s raised-brow reaction, before continuing, “But you know what happened there. He tried for probably 12 minutes and didn’t work out.”

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 07: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the results of the 2024 election in the Rose Garden on November 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. Former President Donald Trump defeated Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden pledged to work with the Trump team to ensure a smooth transition and invited the former President for an Oval Office meeting. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Former President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the results of the 2024 election in the Rose Garden on November 7, 2024, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Internet reacts to Donald Trump's unexpected political jab

Donald Trump's comment quickly drew attention online, with netizens sharing mixed reactions. 

A Trump supporter wrote, "We are winning. You are losing. It's great! MAGA!" while another mocked the president, saying, "And then Trump fell asleep in another meeting."

A person remarked, "It’s sad all the Trumpsters have is Biden..when comparing his 1 admin to Trump’s..Trump has done Nothing," whereas someone else praised the president, writing, "That's President Trump to you boy."

"Why anyone would be surprised by this uncouth slob anymore is the part that surprises me," a Trump critic bluntly wrote. One more quipped, "Seems like Trump has a bad case of Biden derangement syndrome." 

Historic Armenia-Azerbaijan accord follows decades of failed peace efforts

The agreement marks a breakthrough in a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands since the late 1980s. Trump highlighted that previous peace initiatives by the European Union, Russia, and “many other countries” had failed.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 08: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) joins hands with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) during a signing ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House on August 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump brought the two leaders together in an initial attempt to end the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that has lasted for decades. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump joins hands with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a signing ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House on August 8, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

He credited US diplomatic pressure for finally producing what he described as “voluminous documents and very important elements to the agreement.”

“This accord has finally succeeded in making peace,” Trump told the gathered officials and press.

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.

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