Joe Biden Officials’ Reaction to Gaffe During Presser Goes Viral

Some of President Joe Biden’s White House Cabinet members were seen reacting to his gaffe during a press conference on Thursday in a now-viral clip on social media.

In post on X, formerly Twitter, C-SPAN Social Media Specialist Jeremy Art posted a video of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan during the moment Biden called Vice President Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump.”

In the video, Biden can be heard saying, “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president. Do I think she’s not qualified to be president, so let’s start there, number one.”

In the reaction footage, Blinken shifts his eyes downward, and Sullivan moves to put his hand near his mouth and thumb under his chin. Austin maintains a steady straight forward gaze, only momentarily nodding his head once.

The post on X had amassed 1.8 million views as of 9:45 p.m. ET.

Biden survived Thursday’s high-stakes press conference and people on social media noted his clearly delivered comments on foreign affairs and national security.

Brett Meiselas, co-founder of independent news organization Meidas Touch, posted on X: “Yes, Biden gaffed at the top, but this is a very strong presser with very, very good answers. Hopefully media can focus on the substance and not their feeding frenzy. He is making a great contrast against Trump, especially on foreign policy. Honestly, he should do this twice a week.”

Chief strategist for former President Barack Obama’s campaign, David Axelrod, said on X, “The wisdom of doing this press conference at NATO is clear. Shaky on other stuff, the @POTUS is very comfortable on national security issues.”

The video has also garnered negative feedback on X. Conservative Steve Guest reacted to the video on X, saying, “Jake Sullivan doesn’t have a good poker face.”

Account End Wokeness posted to X, “The reaction from Biden’s team when he called Kamala ‘Vice President Trump’ ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS 🤣😂💀.”

Shaun Maguire also said on X, “This is almost unbelievable … What else have they lied to us about?”

Biden’s news conference occurred amid intense fallout of his disappointing presidential debate performance against former President Donald Trump in June. Biden has faced an onslaught of Democratic lawmakers calling for him to step down from his 2024 campaign, most recently Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, after the presser.

In another ominous sign for Biden, Cook Political Report on Tuesday issued an update to its Electoral College race ratings, which all showed Trump gaining ground. Arizona, Nevada and Georgia shifted from the “toss-up” category to “leaning Republican.” Minnesota and New Hampshire changed from “likely Democrat” to “leaning Democrat.”

While speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Monday via phone, Trump said he thinks Biden will “stay in” the race because “he’s got an ego” and that he “doesn’t want to quit.”

Newsweek reached out to the Biden campaign via email for comment Thursday night.