World leaders laughed at President Joe Biden during a roundtable event at the G7 over the weekend after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had to remind Biden of something that had just happened moments before.
Sky News posted the clip on social media, which showed Johnson introducing world leaders who had just joined the event. In the clip, Johnson introduced South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was the only black leader in the room, and, after Johnson introduced him, Biden introduced the president of South Africa and pointed at him in a manner that suggested that he did not know that he had just been introduced.
“… to say how pleased I am to welcome those who have just joined us in some pretty spectacular weather,” Johnson said. “With them, Prime Minister Modi, President Ramaphosa, President Moon …”
“And the president of South Africa,” Biden interjected.
“And the president of South Africa as I said early on,” Johnson responded.
“Oh, you did?” Biden asked.
The room erupted in laughter.
WATCH:
Boris Johnson insists to Joe Biden that he already introduced the president of South Africa to a G7 meeting.
Read the latest from the G7 here: https://t.co/LLt2KjJhOE pic.twitter.com/mjwKvbvDo6
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 13, 2021
Biden was widely mocked online after the incident, with many describing it as an embarrassing moment for the United States.
Either Biden had another dementia moment or he did not know the name of the only black leader in the room. pic.twitter.com/WCziNF3Jx2
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 13, 2021
This is advanced late stage dementia.
The entire world sees it and laughs nervously as our corporate media cheers Biden for ordering his own ice cream cone. https://t.co/6wArJQUlaN
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) June 13, 2021
Give Joe a break, he has dementia https://t.co/zWXGnJqFme
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) June 13, 2021
Just swear in Kamala already. Or Jill, for that matter. https://t.co/01Vcf0kAlx
— (((Jason Epstein))) (@Southfive) June 13, 2021
I vividly recall liberals screaming how Trump was embarrassing us abroad.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather my allies and foes view me as arrogant than view me as a fool.
But that's just me and my ego is big. https://t.co/9eS0Lf04BW
— K 🇯🇲 (@GolferGirl305) June 13, 2021
oh holy shit, ayfkm https://t.co/iTwLcioyCF
— kaitlin, political fashion police (@thefactualprep) June 13, 2021
It was not the only moment during the G7 that Biden appeared to struggle as he repeatedly referred to Libya as he spoke to the press.
Biden said [emphasis added]:
And so, there’s a lot going on where we can work together with Russia. For example, in Libya, we should be opening up the passes to be able to go through and provide — provide food assistance and economic — I mean, vital assistance to a population that’s in real trouble.
I think I’m going to try very much — hard to — it is — and, by the way, there’s places where — I shouldn’t be starting off on negotiating in public here. But let me say it this way: Russia has engaged in activities which are — we believe are contrary to international norms, but they have also bitten off some real problems they’re going to have trouble chewing on.
And, for example, the rebuilding of — of Syria, of Libya, of — you know, this is — they’re there. And as long as they’re there without the ability to bring about some order in the — in the region, and you can’t do that very well without providing for the basic economic needs of people.
So I’m hopeful that we can find an accommodation that — where we can save the lives of people in — for example, in — in Libya, that — consistent with the interest of — maybe for different reasons — but reached it for the same reason — the same result.
Watch Biden talk about Syria (which he calls Libya): pic.twitter.com/Vasz1y9yOk
— Max Abrahms (@MaxAbrahms) June 13, 2021
Bloomberg News reporter Jennifer Jacobs tweeted that aides told her that Biden meant to say Syria instead of Libya.
Biden at press conference said he is hopeful that he can find an accommodation where US and Russia can save the lives of people in Libya. (He meant Syria, aides say.) pic.twitter.com/1sP5QHYGZu
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 13, 2021
This article has been expanded after publication to include additional information.