Get ready for a story that has all eyes on President Joe Biden as he navigates a high-stakes moment during the NATO summit. On Tuesday, while welcoming NATO leaders, President Biden almost had a slip-up that could have been quite embarrassing.
Picture this: Biden is on stage, visibly reading from a teleprompter, and he's about to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Suddenly, he reads aloud an instruction meant only for him: "Ask the military aide." The crowd's applause quickly masked the blunder, allowing Biden to recover swiftly and call the military aide forward without further incident. Crisis averted, right?
This summit is crucial for Biden, especially after a shaky debate performance with Donald Trump that left many questioning his stamina and fitness for another term. Biden attributed his debate mishap to a simple cold during a recent interview with George Stephanopoulos, where he also admitted he couldn’t recall watching the debate afterward.
The NATO summit marks a significant test for Biden, who at 81, is under intense scrutiny. Allies are keen to see if he can hold his own, especially given the possibility of Trump returning to the White House. A strong showing here could reassure them, while any mistakes might heighten their concerns.
During his speech at the summit, Biden focused on NATO's strength and the threat posed by autocrats. He emphasized NATO's growth, with Sweden and Finland joining last year, bringing the alliance to 32 nations.
He also highlighted progress in getting more NATO members to increase their defense spending, with 23 countries now meeting the 2% GDP target.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Biden stumbled slightly when recounting a story about asking Stoltenberg to extend his service as NATO chief. He chuckled, apologized for his mistake, and continued, showing his human side amid the high-stakes environment.
Biden also took the opportunity to announce significant support for Ukraine, with the U.S. and other NATO allies sending dozens of air defense systems, including the powerful Patriot systems. "Russia will not prevail," Biden asserted, underscoring his commitment to Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
The welcome ceremony was a grand affair, featuring a video on NATO's history, a military melody, and the involvement of Hollywood heavyweights Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, with music by Hans Zimmer. It's clear that the administration is pulling out all the stops to make a strong impression.