Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden appeared to become momentarily confused about exactly who he is running against during a virtual campaign event Sunday. Biden was in the middle of answering a question from comedian George Lopez when it looked like he forgot Trump’s name.
“And the character of the country in my view is literally on the ballot. What kind of country we’re gonna be? Four more years of George, ah, George … he uh, gonna find ourselves in a position where if Trump gets elected we’re going to be in a different world.”
Trump called it a gaffe in a tweet Monday morning. (RELATED: Joe Biden Wants Campaign Crowd To Nominate An ‘OBiden-Bama Democrat’)
“Joe Biden called me George yesterday. Couldn’t remember my name. Got some help from the anchor to get him through the interview. The Fake News Cartel is working overtime to cover it up!”
Joe Biden called me George yesterday. Couldn’t remember my name. Got some help from the anchor to get him through the interview. The Fake News Cartel is working overtime to cover it up!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2020
Trump has emphasized Biden’s tendency toward verbal gaffes over the course of his campaign. In September, Biden mistakenly claimed that 200 million people — which amounts to nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population — have died from coronavirus. The official number of coronavirus-related fatalities is recorded at around 200,000.
“If Donald Trump has his way, the complications from COVID-19, which are well beyond what they should be, it’s estimated that 200 million people have died, probably by the time I finish this talk,” Biden said at a Philadelphia rally.
In June, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought while speaking at a coronavirus roundtable discussion.
“You know the rapidly rising umm uh in with uh with I uh don’t know,” Biden said.
“You know the rapidly rising umm uh in with uh with I don’t know.” – Joe Biden. pic.twitter.com/WQMkgISM1D
— Francis Brennan (@FrancisBrennan) June 11, 2020
Editor’s note: This piece has been updated to reflect the fact that Biden was very likely addressing Lopez after appearing to forget Trump’s name mid-answer, rather than confusing Trump for either of the former presidents George W. or H.W. Bush.