Joe Biden's G7 Appearance Littered With Gaffes

Footage of President Joe Biden's gaffes during the Group of Seven meeting is being shared on social media.

The president arrived in Japan on Thursday to attend the meeting of the world's most powerful democracies and scrapped plans to travel to Papua New Guinea and Australia so that he can get back to Washington, D.C. for debt limit talks.

Conservatives have regularly mocked gaffes made by 80-year-old Biden, who has recently announced his intention to run for reelection in 2024. His age, health and mental fitness for office are likely to be raised by Republicans during the campaign.

Early Sunday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) research account shared a clip of Biden stumbling over his words as he discussed the debt ceiling during a press conference at the summit in Hiroshima.

In the clip, Biden says: "And there's a lot of other...For example, the idea that we're... in terms of taxes that they refuse to...for example, we, I was able to balance the budget and pass everything from the global warming bill anyway, I was able to cut by $1.7 billion in the first two years the deficit that we are, were accumulating and because I was able to say to that the fifty five corporations in America that made forty four hundred billion dollars or forty billion dollars, four hundred billion dollars, that they they pay zero in tax, zero."

US President Joe Biden speaks
President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference following the conclusion of the G7 Summit Leaders' Meeting on Sunday in Hiroshima, Japan. Footage of Biden's gaffes during the Group of Seven meeting are being shared... Kiyoshi Ota/Pool/Getty Images

Alongside the footage, the RNC wrote: "In all seriousness — what is Biden talking about?"

The RNC also highlighted the moment Biden mistakenly referred to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as "President Loon."

Earlier in the trip, the president was also captured on camera stumbling down steps on his way to a photo shoot with G7 leaders.

Another video showed the moment the president appeared confused about which direction to head in after taking a group photo with fellow leaders.

Earlier this week, footage of Biden appearing to struggle with his umbrella upon his arrival in Japan went viral, prompting mockery from conservatives.

However, Biden earned praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who he met on the sidelines of the summit.

Zelensky thanked G7 leaders individually during a speech, singling out Biden for "giving meaning to the global brand of security for democracy."

"Thank you for leadership, weapons, and decision to train our pilots," he added. "I believe that the wings of our common freedom will be no doubt the strongest in the world! I thank both parties in the Congress, your team, Mr. President, and all freedom-loving American hearts."

A recent poll, conducted by ABC News and The Washington Post, showed more than two-thirds of Americans think Biden is too old to serve a second term. He would be 86 by the end of a potential second term.

Another poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research last month found only about half of Democrats think Biden should run again, though 81 percent said they would at least probably support him in the 2024 election if he is the nominee.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.

Update 5/21/23, 10:50 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to add comments made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Khaleda Rahman is Newsweek's National Correspondent based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on abortion rights, race, education, sexual ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go