• By Shivangi Sharma
  • Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:19 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

US President Joe Biden arrived in Italy for the G7 Summit on Thursday (local time)  and has since been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Videos of Biden capturing some “embarrassing” moments from the high-profile meeting have gone viral on the internet. Two clips of Biden, known for his gaffes, are circulating on social media, providing an opportunity for Republican critics to target Biden’s abilities.

In a widely circulated video from the event, Biden was captured giving an awkward salute to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she greeted him at the G7 summit. Biden is seen slowly shuffling onto the stage to meet Meloni. The two world leaders exchanged a hug and chatted briefly before the US president saluted her by raising his hand to his forehead and then slowly walking off the stage.

Later, he seemed to drift away from a group of leaders as they posed for a photograph.  After walking a few feet, he gives an enthusiastic thumbs-up to someone. However, as the camera shifts, it becomes clear that no one is standing in that direction. The Italian Prime Minister quickly stepped in, redirecting his attention to the group of leaders for a photograph. Biden then shuffles back to join the group.

The video has received a flood of reactions on social media from several critics of the president. Reacting to the clip, a user on X wrote, “This is the worst Biden gaffe ever. Definitely. You cannot watch this and not acknowledge that this man is not fit to run the entire country.”

This follows days of relentless trolling by people, who ridiculed him for standing almost motionless for nearly a minute during a musical performance at the White House. Biden, often prone to missteps and gaffes, has been ridiculed by rivals attempting to undermine his ability as a presidential candidate due to his old age.

The G7, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, is an assembly that convenes yearly to address security and economic concerns. Biden attended the 50th G7 Summit in Borgo Egnazia, Italy, where world leaders agreed to support a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, according to The Hill. He also signed a historic “Bilateral Security Agreement” with Ukraine. The previous global event Biden attended was in France, where he and First Lady Jill Biden commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day.