Trump mocks ‘Sleepy Joe’ Biden, says he ‘couldn't sign his name’ at midterm rally

DALLAS, TEXAS: President Trump ridiculed his predecessor Joe Biden at the beginning of his speech on the opening day of the Republican midterm convention, using his customary talking points about the mental and physical capabilities of the former president.

Trump continued the attack by describing Biden appearing disoriented at the end of public appearances. "We had a president that couldn't walk off the stage. You know, there are so many stairs, one here, one there," Trump told the crowd.

Trump mocks Biden over public appearances

Trump continued the bit by describing Biden appearing disoriented at the end of public appearances.

"He'd finish his speech. The speeches only lasted about a minute, so where am I? Where?" Trump said, before referencing a specific incident involving Biden.

"Remember the time you walked into the wall in the back? You thought it was a stair?"

Trump also revived a longstanding claim about Biden's use of an autopen for official documents, telling the crowd, "Couldn't sign his name on a document, auto-penned everything, horrible." 

Trump renews criticism of Biden's autopen use

President Trump has repeatedly criticized President Biden for the use of an autopen, which has become a major topic of discussion following a House Oversight Committee inquiry into whether the Presidential seal was affixed to pardons, executive orders, and other documents during Biden's time in office with the President's approval.

While Biden has defended the practice, saying presidents have been using autopens for decades and that he personally approves each order signed with one, Trump has accused him of being "unhinged" since he cannot confirm that every single document carries his approval.

Trump recalls Biden's past public moments

In addition to criticizing President Biden's performance, Trump has often pointed out instances when Biden seemed to be having difficulty during his presidential campaigns.

During part of his convention speech Wednesday, Trump talked about contrasting his term in office with that of his predecessor, an issue he has raised often since returning to the presidency.

Aside from the autopen controversy, Trump has occasionally leveled particular instances of Biden's public appearances at him, such as the June 2023 episode when Biden stumbled and fell on the stage of the US Air Force Academy's graduation as he walked across it after his foot became caught on a bag of sand near the podium.

Biden's staff reported that he was not harmed.

He has also criticized Biden's tendency to pause or lose his train of thought in the middle of a sentence, which became a staple of his 2024 campaign and which he has continued to raise in speeches since taking office.