President Biden was seen “losing focus” at a G7 summit in Italy, according to a new report, with one diplomatic insider saying the commander-in-chief is “the worst he has ever been.”
President Biden’s condition has become a significant topic of concern at this week’s G7 summit in Italy. Reports indicate that the president has been “losing focus” during discussions, with one diplomatic insider describing his performance as “the worst he has ever been.”
An attendee from a non-US delegation labeled Biden’s public missteps on the first day of the summit as “embarrassing.” This gathering brings together leaders of the world’s wealthiest democracies, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to discuss economic and security priorities.
Biden’s Performance at the Summit
Video footage shows President Biden briefly wandering while leaders watched a parachute drop at San Domenico Golf Club on June 13, 2024. These actions, along with an awkward salute to Meloni and wandering away during a skydiving demonstration, have drawn significant attention.
Biden reportedly got off to a rocky start with Meloni, keeping her waiting for 20 minutes before arriving Thursday morning. Meloni’s attempt at humor, telling Biden, “You shouldn’t leave a woman waiting like this,” highlighted the tension.
Despite these incidents, Biden has shown moments of clarity when discussing urgent matters with leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the European Union. White House staffers have acknowledged that Biden occasionally loses focus in private conversations.
Reactions and Responses
White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates dismissed the reports as “lies,” highlighting Biden’s successful leadership in advancing national security. Bates also refuted claims about the video, explaining that Biden was giving a “thumbs up” and congratulating another skydiver just out of the video frame.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Biden, saying the president was being “very polite” to the military members involved in the demonstration. Sunak also explained the choreography of the ceremony, indicating that Biden’s actions were part of the planned sequence.
Biden’s absence from a dinner for G7 leaders at a luxury hotel in southern Italy on Thursday evening was addressed by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She emphasized that the president was engaged in multiple sessions and meetings during his time in Italy.
Key Developments at the Summit
The summit has seen significant developments, including the US signing a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine and the alliance agreeing to lend another $50 billion to Kyiv for its war effort against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit, joining Biden in a press conference to assert their opposition to Russian aggression.
Concerns about Biden’s mental fitness have been growing among Democratic lawmakers and aides. A recent Wall Street Journal report highlighted Biden’s frequent reliance on cheat sheets and moments of apparent inattention. An ABC News/Ipsos poll in February found that 86% of voters, including 73% of Democrats, believe Biden is too old to complete a second term.
Looking Ahead
Biden will face former President Donald Trump in their first presidential debate of the cycle on June 27. A JL Partners poll released Thursday indicated that half of US voters expect Biden to forget where he is during the debate, with a third anticipating he will wander offstage.
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized Biden’s performance at the G7, asserting that adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran are likely observing Biden’s decline and planning to exploit it. Leavitt emphasized the need for strong leadership, positioning Trump as the candidate capable of delivering peace through strength.
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