Former Vice President Joe Biden appeared to jokingly insult a New Hampshire student Sunday, calling her a “lying dog-faced pony soldier” at a Hampton Beach event.
Biden was reportedly responding to a question about his campaign’s lackluster performance in the Iowa caucuses and how he planned to forge a path forward, especially if he did not do well in New Hampshire’s primary. (RELATED: Biden Says It Will Be ‘Incredibly More Difficult’ To Beat Trump If Bernie Is The Nominee)
The woman introduced herself as “Madison” and said that she was a student before asking her question, which she warned might seem “mean.” Biden responded by quickly removing his jacket as the audience laughed.
After a New Hampshire voter asks @JoeBiden why they should trust he can turn his campaign around, he asks if she’s ever been to a caucus before; when she says yes, Biden snaps: “No you haven’t. You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier.” pic.twitter.com/3uxOAu0Ues
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) February 9, 2020
“A young woman asks Biden ‘How do you explain the performance in Iowa and why should the voters believe that you can win a national election?’ Biden’s response: ‘You ever been to a caucus?’ Woman says yes. Biden: ‘No you haven’t. You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier,'” Jon Ward tweeted.
A young woman asks Biden “How do you explain the performance in Iowa and why should the voters believe that you can win a national election?”
Biden’s response: “You ever been to a caucus?”
Woman says yes.
Biden: “No you haven’t. You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier.”
— Jon Ward (@jonward11) February 9, 2020
Biden tackles a ‘mean question’ about electability after Iowa. pic.twitter.com/mhDaSHbXqU
— Cleve R. Wootson Jr. (@CleveWootson) February 9, 2020
New York Magazine’s Olivia Nuzzi heard it as well, saying that the former vice president seemed to be joking. “I believe he replied, in a joking way: ‘you’re a lying dog faced pony soldier’???? Which is not a phrase I have ever heard?????” she added.
Biden initially asked the student if she had ever caucused before, and I guess she said yes (I didn’t see or hear what she said), and then I believe he replied, in a joking way: “you’re a lying dog faced pony soldier”???? Which is not a phrase I have ever heard????? ???
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) February 9, 2020
Nuzzi followed by calling it “the best insult of all time.”
I’m glad I did not fully hallucinate the best insult of all time, “You’re a lying dog faced pony soldier.” https://t.co/kyaTCd0Ll2
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) February 9, 2020
Yahoo! News’ Sharon Weinberger said that Biden had used that particular insult before, usually about Republicans. “So, apparently Biden has used this ‘dog-faced pony soldier’ phrase before, but about Republicans. It’s allegedly from a film where an Indian chief tells John Wayne: ‘This is a lying dog-faced pony soldier,'” Weinberger tweeted, adding a query for verification. “However, haven’t been able to verify that line. Any John Wayne experts?”
So, apparently Biden has used this “dog-faced pony soldier” phrase before, but about Republicans. It’s allegedly from a film where an Indian chief tells John Wayne: “This is a lying dog-faced pony soldier.”
However, haven’t been able to verify that line. Any John Wayne experts?
— Sharon Weinberger (@weinbergersa) February 9, 2020
Biden did use the line — which he himself attributed to an unnamed John Wayne film — in 2018 remarks attacking North Dakota Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer.