During a global press conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, that had been planned as a culmination of the G20 summit in New Delhi, President Joe Biden left many observers perplexed with a series of non sequiturs and tangential remarks. As the press conference wore on, it became increasingly evident that Biden was fatigued and struggling to maintain coherence. He unexpectedly announced that he was “going to go to bed,” and shortly thereafter, press aides abruptly concluded the conference, seemingly aiming to remove him from the stage.
The reason behind White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s decision to terminate the presser remained unclear. Biden’s evident fatigue and possibly his response to a question concerning U.S. strategic interests and human rights could have been contributing factors.
Throughout his 20-minute discourse, Biden embarked on disjointed tangents, invoking references to “John Wayne,” “cowboys,” “Indians,” and “dog-face pony soldiers.” He made peculiar statements, such as expressing greater concern about global warming exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 10 to 20 years than about nuclear war.
Towards the end of the press conference, Biden abruptly declared his intention to go to bed. Subsequently, when asked about Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who attended the G20 summit on behalf of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Biden attempted to provide an answer. However, he was cut off by Jean-Pierre, who abruptly thanked everyone and concluded the conference, leaving Biden seemingly confused.
The incident in Hanoi raised concerns about President Biden’s ability to engage in effective diplomacy and communicate coherently on the world stage. It underscored the importance of maintaining mental sharpness and clarity, especially in matters of international relations and diplomacy.
