Former President Joe Biden is again confronting renewed questions about his health after an appearance in Washington, D.C., was overshadowed by a verbal misstep that quickly ricocheted across political circles and social media. Biden, 83, stumbled over the word "America" during remarks at an LGBTQ+ rights forum, turning a speech intended to highlight civil-rights progress into a fresh flashpoint for long-standing concerns about his cognitive resilience and physical stamina. The moment unfolded at an event hosted by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, where the former president was receiving the Chris Abele Impact Award.
During a section of his nearly 20-minute address, Biden sought to rally attendees with a message about national resilience. "I still believe that emerging from the many crises caused by this administration, as we have constantly, none the less, come out stronger, wiser, and more resilient - but we just have to get up," he said. Moments later, in what instantly became viral fodder, he attempted a closing refrain about national identity: "As long as we keep the faith, some hope and get back up and remember who in the hell we are - we are the United States of Amerigotit," he declared. He recovered quickly, adding, "That's who we are. We are the US."
The clip spread online within minutes, triggering a wave of commentary questioning his cognitive state. The mispronunciation-now circulating widely as "Amerigotit"-reignited the debate that engulfed Biden after his faltering performance in the June 2024 presidential debate. That moment produced a public reckoning over his health and ultimately led him to withdraw from the race the following month.
Biden's appearance on Friday had been intended as a pointed critique of the Trump administration's record on LGBTQ rights. He accused "MAGA republicans" of attempting to "distort and derail our fight for equality" and said the prior administration had turned gay rights into something "scary" and "sinister." But the political contrast he attempted to draw was eclipsed by renewed scrutiny of his own condition.
The renewed attention arrives amid broader controversy surrounding Biden's medical history during his final year in office. Earlier in 2024, his physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, stated publicly that Biden was "fit to serve" following a routine exam. Months later, however, Biden announced he had been diagnosed with an "aggressive" prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. He said doctors discovered a "small nodule" and additional cancer cells during another medical exam, raising questions about how a Stage 4 diagnosis had gone previously undetected.
These revelations have fed Republican allegations that Biden's team deliberately concealed the extent of his health decline. The House Oversight Committee is investigating whether White House staff shielded him from rigorous public exposure and whether aides relied on an autopen for official acts without adequate disclosure. That probe also includes inquiries into whether Biden's schedule was structured to minimize the risk of public gaffes.
Since leaving office, Biden has made limited public appearances, largely for medical updates or controlled events. The Victory Institute forum was positioned as an opportunity to reinforce his legacy on civil rights. Instead, the incident revived questions that Democrats had hoped were receding. For critics, "Amerigotit" became shorthand for the narrative of decline; for allies, it revived the difficulty of defending Biden against perceptions that have hardened over time.
