Joe Biden has ignited a storm of controversy after a bizarre video of him emerged earlier this week engaged in an uncomfortable interaction with a young girl in Helsinki, Finland. The video, captured on film, showed the Democratic presidential hopeful putting his face on the girl's shoulder and attempting to kiss her on the head. The girl quickly turned her head away and moved away from Biden, who had a grin on his face.
The incident incited an array of reactions from netizens online, with many people noting that this isn’t the first time Biden has been accused of this type of inappropriate behavior. Several people noted that Biden should be held accountable for his actions. Others argued that the incident wasn’t as serious as it was being made out to be, as the girl wasn't distressed, and no physical contact was made.
“This has got to be Biden’s creepiest moment yet with a child,” said digital media strategist Caleb Hull. “All Biden has to do is not do this and he can’t.”
“The only time men do that is with their own children at home, maybe – not with strange babies in the middle of Europe with cameras rolling,” Watters added. “He’s nuzzling and sniffing random kids. Joe showed more affection to this young Finnish girl than to his own granddaughter in Arkansas.”
The controversy sparked discussion on the double standards shown towards male and female politicians. The criticism towards Biden's behavior is certainly far more prominent than for other politicians, such as Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan.
Some remarked that what occurred in the incident could be attributed to Biden's age and his inability to maintain social distancing standards necessary in the present COVID-19 pandemic. Biden did not want to put his face mask on the girl and therefore had to get so close to her.
Others argued that this was just another example of how men can “get away” with certain things that women in a similar situation would not.
While the video made waves online, it's uncertain what the outcome from this controversy will be or if it will even affect voters' opinion of Biden.
Either way, the incident magnified awareness of the need for a more respectful interaction between men and women, and raised questions as to whether or not such incidents are acceptable from public figures.
Moreover, although it remains to be seen what the fallout from this incident will be, it's clear that Biden's past behavior will continue to be scrutinized as the 2020 presidential elections draw closer.
During his departure from Finland, President Joe Biden bizarrely sniffed and bit at the shoulder of a frightened little girl. pic.twitter.com/Lx23QeGmfD
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) July 14, 2023