NOTE: VIDEO INSIDE THE ARTICLE.
Former President Joe Biden found himself at the center of fresh controversy on Friday after stumbling over the word “America” during a speech at the International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. The awkward moment—captured on video and rapidly circulated online—immediately reignited long-running criticism of Biden’s verbal missteps and age-related struggles, issues that frequently dominated headlines during his presidency.
Biden, now 83, was appearing at the annual gathering to receive an award for his contributions to LGBTQ+ rights. As he neared the conclusion of a speech sharply criticizing the current administration, he attempted to deliver a rousing line about national unity. But as he tried to utter the country’s name, he tripped over the words and blurted out: “We’re the United States of Amerigotit.”
He immediately attempted to recover, but the stumble had already landed. Without repeating the mispronounced word, he quickly shifted to a simplified alternative, saying: “That’s who we are. We’re the U.S.”
The clip circulated widely within minutes, with critics calling the moment another example of Biden’s difficulty maintaining verbal precision during speeches. Supporters argued that public speaking mistakes are common and often exaggerated. Still, the incident added to a long list of verbal blunders that have followed Biden throughout his career—missteps that were heavily scrutinized during and after his time in the White House.
A Speech Intended to Rally, Overshadowed by a Slip
Before the gaffe, Biden had delivered a forceful critique of the Trump administration, accusing it of using LGBTQ+ issues as a political wedge.
“We are one of the only countries in the world that time and again has come out of every crisis stronger than we entered that crisis,” Biden said during his address. “We just have to get up. As long as we keep the faith and summon hope, we get back up and remember who we are.”
He used the platform to call for unity and shared purpose, urging Americans to “work together” and continue fighting for civil rights protections. “Let’s keep this fight going. Let’s win it together. Not tomorrow—now,” he told the crowd.
Biden was honored at the event with the Chris Abele Impact Award, recognizing his administration’s work in expanding protections and visibility for LGBTQ+ Americans. The award ceremony and speech were intended to highlight Biden’s legacy on equality issues—but the verbal slip quickly overshadowed the broader message.
A Long History of Memorable Gaffes
Biden’s verbal stumbles have long been a focal point for critics, and Friday’s moment added to a list of gaffes stretching back decades. Throughout his presidency, his public remarks frequently produced headlines—sometimes because of a mispronounced name, other times because of a jumbled phrase, or moments when he repeated a story twice in quick succession.
One of the most widely replayed examples occurred during a NATO summit, when Biden mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin.” The room audibly gasped as he continued speaking before quickly correcting himself, saying: “No, we’re going to beat Putin.” He later attributed the mistake to being deeply focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Only hours after that summit error, Biden again caused confusion when he mistakenly referred to his own vice president, Kamala Harris, as “Vice President Trump.” Attempting to explain Harris’s qualifications, he said: “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump—Harris—if I thought she wasn’t qualified to be president.” The clip went viral within minutes.
Biden was also mocked for referencing the Congressional Black Caucus while speaking at a gala hosted by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, praising the honorees before incorrectly naming the organization he was addressing.
Beyond public gaffes, several reports during his presidency suggested moments of confusion behind closed doors. At a private fundraising event in New York in 2023, Biden repeated the exact same personal story twice within minutes, according to a press pool report. The duplication raised concerns among some attendees and fuelled debates about his mental sharpness.
A Debate Performance That Defined a Campaign
Perhaps the most consequential communication struggle came in June 2024 during the first presidential debate of the election cycle. Biden delivered a shaky performance that immediately alarmed even his closest allies. He lost his train of thought several times, trailed off mid-sentence, and appeared unable to clearly articulate key policy arguments. That night marked a turning point in public perception.
The aftermath was politically disastrous. In the weeks following the debate, Democratic leaders and supporters scrambled to reassure voters of Biden’s fitness. But the wave of concern was unrelenting. Ultimately, after mounting pressure and persistent questions about his ability to serve a second term, Biden announced he would withdraw from the race, ending his bid for re-election.
At 82, he already held the distinction of being the oldest president in U.S. history. The ongoing string of public gaffes only heightened scrutiny surrounding his age.
Friday’s Incident Reignites Debate About Biden’s Longevity in Politics
The mispronunciation during Friday’s conference speech instantly revived discussions about Biden’s communication challenges. Political commentators were quick to weigh in, with some framing the event as another indication of cognitive decline, while others dismissed it as an overblown reaction to a common human mistake.
Still, the repetition of such errors has become a hallmark of Biden’s public appearances. His critics argue that these moments reflect not just age but diminishing verbal control. Supporters counter that Biden’s lifelong stutter has occasionally influenced his cadence and phrasing, and that isolated mispronunciations should not define his legacy.
Nonetheless, Biden’s political opponents seized on the clip. Several conservative commentators immediately shared the video, mocking the phrase “United States of Amerigotit” and framing it as symbolic of broader issues they attribute to Biden’s leadership style.
A Legacy of Achievements Complicated by Communication Slip-Ups
Despite the repeated gaffes, Biden’s presidency was marked by major legislative efforts and a strong focus on domestic programs. His administration passed sweeping climate and infrastructure bills, expanded federal healthcare subsidies, and enacted notable advances in LGBTQ+ protections—contributions recognized by the award he received on Friday.
However, even in moments meant to highlight policy victories, Biden’s speeches frequently gained attention for reasons he likely did not intend. The consistency of these verbal stumbles has made them a recurring part of public discourse surrounding his career.
For many Americans, Biden’s communication challenges became impossible to separate from his political standing. In the final year of his presidency and during his brief re-election campaign, this became especially evident as media coverage increasingly focused on his age, cognition, and verbal fluidity.
The Washington Event Ends on a Familiar Note
Back at the LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference, Biden attempted to regain momentum after the mispronunciation, pushing forward with familiar themes of unity, hope, and determination. But the slip lingered, with audience members exchanging glances as he concluded his remarks.
His closing message—intended to be one of resilience—was overshadowed by the renewed focus on his delivery.
“Let’s keep this fight going,” he insisted. “Let’s win it together.”
But as the event concluded, discussion among attendees and online centered less on the message he hoped to convey and more on whether Biden’s latest gaffe signaled a lingering pattern that continues to follow him, even as he steps further away from elected office.
A Moment Certain to Enter the Biden Gaffe Archive
With decades in public life, Biden’s verbal blunders have become part of his political identity, for better or worse. Friday’s “Amerigotit” moment appears destined to join the long list of misstatements that have trailed him through five decades of public service.
Whether seen as endearing imperfections, concerning signs of age, or simply human slip-ups, one thing is certain: Biden’s gaffes remain a defining feature of his political narrative—and they continue to generate headlines long after his time in the Oval Office.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
