President Joe Biden's recent appearance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit in San Francisco has become the subject of heated debate on social media. Videos circulating online show Biden, the oldest elected president in U.S. history, appearing confused during a photo op with other world leaders and hesitating to mention a U.S. business by name during his speech.
The Right-wing account RNC Research shared footage of Biden at the summit, where he seemed unsure about his position during the photo session. The post's caption, highlighting Biden's apparent confusion, ignited a flurry of responses ranging from concern over his fitness for office to accusations of elder abuse. Critics pointed to the incident as evidence of cognitive decline, a frequent talking point among Biden's detractors. However, several social media users have come to Biden's defense, arguing that the other leaders, not Biden, were in the wrong positions.
Further fueling the controversy, another video from the summit depicted Biden's handshake with the world leaders, prompting RNC Research to question his strength and vigor. This again elicited mixed reactions, with some echoing concerns about his cognitive abilities and others defending the president against these attacks.
During his speech at APEC, Biden chose not to attempt the pronunciation of certain company names, joking about his potential mispronunciation. While this moment was met with laughter and warmth from the audience, Nile Gardiner, a foreign policy expert and director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation, criticized Biden's performance. Gardiner described Biden as unfit for the presidency, suggesting he is incapable of representing the U.S. effectively on the world stage.
In the backdrop of these events, a new poll from Quinnipiac University indicates a decline in Biden's job approval rating, with 37 percent of voters approving and 59 percent disapproving of his performance. These ratings reflect growing public dissatisfaction with various issues under the Biden administration, including border security, rising crime rates in major cities, and economic concerns.
The APEC summit has thus become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over Biden's capabilities as president, with his actions and words scrutinized for signs of weakness or inadequacy. As the U.S. faces numerous domestic and international challenges, Biden's leadership continues to be a topic of national conversation and controversy.
