President Biden triggered concern for his health yet again Monday night after appearing to repeatedly slur his words — often beyond the point of comprehension — during a Juneteenth event at the White House.
The 81-year-old president took the stage to deliver remarks near the end of a lively concert ahead of next week’s federal holiday, which commemorates the end of legal slavery in the US.
At points, however, the president’s statements were jumbled and barely understandable, according to footage shared widely on social media.
“She know long! She knew suhlongasuhijeruhhnied, our freedom can never be secured,” the official RNC Research rapid response X account captioned a particularly off-putting clip of the speech.
At another point, Biden attacked Republicans as “old ghosts in new garments trying to take us back” and accused them of “banning books about black experiences” before making a gutteral noise that suggested he was either trying to clear his throat or cough something up.
During a more intelligible section of his remarks, Biden noted that he was “proud” to have signed legislation designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021.
“The day reminds us that we have a hell of a lot more work to do. Let’s keep marching. Let’s keep the faith,” he said at one point.
Republicans also mocked Biden after he appeared to stand virtually motionless for nearly a minute as gospel singer Kirk Franklin performed his song “Love Theory” on the South Lawn.
The president’s gaze appeared fixed on the stage even as Vice President Kamala Harris, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and other dignitaries danced along beside him.
“Lights are on but no one’s home,” the Trump campaign’s war room account posted on X.
“BIDEN: These edibles ain’t s—-. *15 minutes later*,” Trump campaign adviser Steven Cheung joked, while Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) quipped, “Who said Biden’s got no rhythm?”
White House staffers have long acknowledged that the president, who would be 86 years old if he completes a full second term in January 2029, has at points lost his focus in private conversations — in addition to his public gaffes and stumbles.