Biden’s 9/11 gaffe sparks online reactions
Social media erupts after Biden's 'doing 9/11' comment before debate
![President Joe Biden talks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, before departing to New York City. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana).](https://thethaiger.com/world/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Biden_24254762717275-scaled.jpg)
President Joe Biden caused confusion when he stated he was “doing 9/11” tomorrow while speaking to reporters about his plans before the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
The 81-year-old made this comment while heading to Marine One on the White House lawn, just a day before the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Biden explained, “I’m going up to my granddaughter’s birthday in New York. Then we’re gonna watch the debate, then tomorrow I’m doing 9/11.”
Biden: “Tomorrow, I’m doing 9/11” 😂pic.twitter.com/bTjxHOff7r
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 10, 2024
Social media users reacted with shock and amusement at Biden’s choice of words. On platform X, one user remarked, “Biden’s slip-ups are endless. You’d think someone would double-check his scripts by now.”
Another commented, “Yup… He done,” while someone else added, “Gotta be honest, until I saw that ‘tomorrow I’m doing 9/11’ clip just now, I kind of forgot Joe Biden was even alive.”
A Trump campaign-affiliated X account shared the clip, stating, “This is the humiliating cognitive decline Kamala Harris COVERED UP.”
![President Joe Biden speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, during an event to welcome University of Connecticut Huskies Men's Basketball Team to celebrate their 2023-2024 NCAA championship season. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana).](https://thethaiger.com/world/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Biden_24254683284372-300x200.jpg)
This incident follows a series of blunders by Biden, who recently stepped down from his reelection campaign after a poor debate performance against Trump. Just days before that announcement, he mistakenly referred to Vice President Harris as Donald Trump.
Other mishaps have included bumping into flagpoles, falling off bicycles, and calling people by the wrong name.
Biden plans to commemorate the 9/11 attacks in New York City and will also visit the Pentagon and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania memorials. On September 11, 2001, al-Qaida terrorists hijacked planes, targeting New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth plane, headed for Washington, crashed in Shanksville after passengers attempted to retake control.
![President Joe Biden arrives at JFK airport, New York, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci).](https://thethaiger.com/world/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Biden_24254807920133-300x200.jpg)
The attacks resulted in 2,996 casualties, including 2,977 victims and 19 hijackers. Thousands more were injured, with New York suffering the highest death toll, approximately 1,600 in the North Tower and another thousand in the South.
Harris and Trump will face each other in what could be their only debate in the US presidential election. This event will provide Americans with a detailed look at the campaign, which has changed significantly since June’s last debate.
![President Joe Biden, right, holds up a jersey that was presented to him by University of South Carolina Women's basketball team members Bree Hall, left, and Te-Hina Paopao, center, during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, to celebrate their 2023-2024 NCAA championship season. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh).](https://thethaiger.com/world/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Biden_24254574796799-300x200.jpg)
Following that debate, Biden withdrew from the race, while Trump survived an assassination attempt. Harris aims to show she can argue the Democratic case against Trump more effectively than Biden. Trump, meanwhile, seeks to portray Harris as an out-of-touch liberal and win over skeptical voters.
The 78-year-old Trump has struggled to adapt to Harris, 59, who is the first woman, black person, and person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. He has resorted to using racial and gender stereotypes, frustrating his allies who want him to focus on policy differences.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Newsweek reports on President Joe Biden’s gaffes during a post-debate interview, where he referred to himself as a ‘Black woman’, sparking scrutiny over his performance and cognitive abilities. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did Joe Biden say about his plans for 9/11?
Biden said, ‘then tomorrow I’m doing 9/11,’ causing confusion and amusement.
How did social media react to Biden’s ‘doing 9/11’ comment?
Social media users expressed shock and amusement, with comments highlighting Biden’s frequent slip-ups.
Why was Biden’s comment about 9/11 considered a gaffe?
The comment was poorly worded, making it sound insensitive regarding the September 11 attacks.
What are Biden’s plans for the 9/11 anniversary?
Biden is set to mark the anniversary in New York City and visit the Pentagon and Shanksville memorials.
What is the significance of the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump?
It’s their first face-to-face debate, offering a detailed look at the changed presidential campaign.