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Last Updated: November 21, 2023, 08:06 IST
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
U.S. President Joe Biden pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey, Liberty, during the annual ceremony on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 20, 2023. (Reuters)
Biden’s birthday at the White House, mistaking Taylor Swift for Britney. White House defends his age, emphasizing experience and accomplishments
US President Joe Biden on Monday mistakenly referred to American pop star Taylor Swift as ‘Britney’ (Spears) during remarks at a Thanksgiving event at the White House. While speaking about the annual tradition, Biden said turkeys named Liberty and Bell had to beat stiff competition for the honor and demonstrate ‘patience.’
“You could say it was even harder than getting a ticket to the Renaissance tour for Britney’s tour. She’s down in, it’s kinda warm in Brazil right now,” Biden said. This yet another faux pas comes as Biden celebrated his 81st birthday by joking repeatedly about his advanced age, even as the White House strongly defended his stamina and batted away polling.’
‘It’s not about age’
On Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden’s age should not be a primary focus. “Our perspective is, it’s not about age, it’s about the president’s experience,” Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing, where she highlighted that Biden had successfully championed through Congress several major pieces of legislation.
“What we say is we have to judge him by what he’s done, not by his numbers,” Jean-Pierre said. “I would put the president’s stamina, the president’s wisdom, ability to get this done on behalf of the American people, against anyone. Anyone, any day of the week.” The US President, for his part, went for humor at the White House event. “By the way, it’s my birthday today,” Biden told a crowd on the South Lawn as he pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys Liberty and Bell. “I just want you to know, it’s difficult turning 60,” the president added with a chuckle. “Difficult.”
‘Oldest US president’
Noting that the pre-Thanksgiving pardoning ceremony dated back 76 years, Biden also said, “I want you to know I wasn’t there — for the first one.” The oldest president in US history, Biden for months has used humor to try to defuse the issue — even as polls suggest it’s no laughing matter.
An August poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 77 percent of U.S. adults, including 69 percent of Democrats, viewed Biden as too old to be effective for four more years. As he seeks a second term, Biden could be headed for a rematch with former President Donald Trump.
(With agency inputs)
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