Joe Biden claimed he was distracted by a toddler in the audience after the 81-year-old US President bizarrely wandered off stage during a campaign speech.
08:58, Wed, Mar 20, 2024 | UPDATED: 09:00, Wed, Mar 20, 2024
Joe Biden seemed to lose his focus during a speech. (Image: Getty)
President Joe Biden bizarrely wandered off stage at a recent campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona - he claimed he was distracted by a child in the crowd.
The incident occurred as his campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, was introducing him at a Mexican diner.
"'Well folks, I have to tell you straight up... I like you all, but I couldn't resist that baby," President Biden told the audience.
While the infant seemed delighted by the attention, another child was spotted covering her ears during Biden's remarks at a separate event in Reno, Nevada.
The campaign stop in Arizona aimed to bolster support among Hispanic voters, a demographic crucial to Biden's re-election prospects.
Joe Biden was criticized for pretending to nibble a little girl in Finland. (Image: AP)
With polls showing a decline in his support among Hispanics, Biden sought to connect with voters by addressing their concerns and highlighting his policy agenda.
During the event, Biden took a subtle jab at his likely opponent in the 2024 election, former President Donald Trump, criticising his focus on the wealthy. This sentiment echoed Biden's broader campaign strategy of positioning himself as a champion for working-class Americans.
Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, had been addressing the crowd for around a minute before Biden became distracted by the child.
Critics have also noted some of Biden's stranger interactions with children. In Virginia in 2021, Biden made 'creepy' remarks about a young girl.
Then-78, Biden was speaking at a military base when he pointed out an 'elementary school-aged' girl, saying: "I love those barrettes in your hair, man.
"I tell you what, look at her, she looks like she's 19 years old, sitting there like a little lady with her legs crossed."
"Now, a very important thing I told me daughters and granddaughters - no serious guys until you're 30!" he told the girl before leaning in for a selfie.
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