In the latest in a series of gaffes during his presidency, US President Joe Biden has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is clearly losing the war in Iraq” – a country that Russia is not at war with.
In a clip that circulated online yesterday, Biden was asked by reporters “to what extent has Vladimir Putin been weakened by recent events?”, in reference to reports of an alleged attempted coup by Russia’s Wagner Group mercenary force amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
“It’s hard to tell,” replied Biden, “but he [Putin] is clearly losing the war in Iraq.” The President did not correct himself following the error.
Q: "To what extent has Vladimir Putin been weakened by recent events?"
President Biden: "It's hard to tell but he is clearly losing the war in Iraq, he's losing the war at home and he has become a bit of a pariah around the world." pic.twitter.com/PZhYhdGDij
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 28, 2023
After circulating online, some social media users described the flub as “embarrassing.”
Embarrassing
— westsidephilosophy (@westsidephilos1) June 28, 2023
“All rumours about senility aside, we used to lol ourselves to death about far less comical “Bushisms”,” tweeted writer Ben Sixsmith, Critic Magazine’s online editor, in reference to former US President George Bush’s notorious verbal blunders.
All rumours about senility aside, we used to lol ourselves to death about far less comical "Bushisms".https://t.co/aKYFKfjoOn
— Ben Sixsmith (@BDSixsmith) June 28, 2023
One Twitter user joked that “You lose 100% of the wars you’re never involved in.”
Wow………. pic.twitter.com/XVxge0Dew3
— maskiavelli (@maskiavelli) June 29, 2023
Another individual commented asking “Does Putin know Russia is in a war with Iraq?”
“I bet he doesn’t – makes sense why they’re losing now,” replied another user sarcastically.
I bet he doesn’t. Makes sense why they’re losing now. 🇮🇶
— EvanPaul (@EvanPaul05) June 28, 2023
“Jesus wept,” tweeted one individual, while another asserted that the President was “losing his marbles.”
Jesus wept 🙈 https://t.co/ofIXzKdqlK
— HelenO'Toole (@HelenOT60) June 28, 2023
Biden is losing his marbles and hopefully the election. With so many blunders I can’t see how he wins re-election https://t.co/R0usxv4GBW
— SnakeJB (@JsnakebJb) June 28, 2023
Some users defended the President, however, with one saying that “Trump missed spoke [sic] every time he opened up his lying mouth!”
*misspoke
— Ski Bunny (@sternergulch) June 28, 2023
Another claimed that Biden’s mistakes paled in comparison to previous presidents like Donald Trump.
“Biden has a gaffe every now and then – so what?” she wrote.
“I would still say he’s 1000% better than an ex-president who stole boxes of government documents – classified and otherwise – threatening US National Security! He incited an insurrection, colluded with Russia! That’s the takeaway!”
🇨🇦🤷🏻♀️ So?
Biden has a gaffe every now & then-so what?
I would still say he's a 1000% better than an EX President who STOLE BOXES of government documents-classified & otherwise-threatening US National Security!
He incited an insurrection, colluded with Russia!
THATS the takeaway!— Jennydjld (@Jennydjld) June 28, 2023
Others theorised that Biden may have been referring to Russia wanting access to Iraq’s airspace to send troops and equipment to their bases in Syria 3 months ago.
Lol. Imagine having to be a translator for the leader of the free world. I think he meant this instead.
— Banks aren't too big to fail (@arthur106789) June 28, 2023
"The Russians have been using Iraqi airspace for this purpose for years, but the situation is currently sensitive.
"The Russians themselves also deal with it sensitively, and they will not put Iraq in a critical corner”
– Diplomat sourcehttps://t.co/bNeTVHUuUm
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 30, 2023
Biden has had many recent gaffes, including earlier this month, wherein he concluded a speech on gun control by saying “God save the Queen, man.” Notably, the speech was in the US state of Connecticut, and the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, had already been dead for months.
#Biden ended a speech at a conference on gun control in Conneticut with a bizzare
"God save the Queen man"
He then walked of abruptly unsure how to leave the stage. pic.twitter.com/EoHpKBEzKi
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) June 17, 2023
This latest “Iraq” incident was not the first time someone who occupied the Oval Office has confused Ukraine and Iraq. Last year during a speech, former President George W. Bush made a similar blunder.
“The decision of one man, to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq,” said Bush, before catching himself and saying “I mean, of Ukraine. Iraq too. Anyway – I’m 75.”