President Joe Biden is facing criticism after making an awkward comment during a White House event on Monday, where he welcomed Gotham Football Club, the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champions. The event, meant to celebrate the team’s historic victory, took a strange turn when Biden made a remark directed toward young girls in attendance, sparking backlash online.
Biden joked about his staff controlling his actions as president before inviting young girls to join him. “You know, I thought when I got to be president, I’d get to do things that I wanted to do, but my staff tells me what I can’t do. But I’m going to do it anyway,” Biden said, before calling on the young girls in the crowd to come on stage.
“All the young women, young kids out there, that are out there, come on up and do this one. Stand behind me while I do this. Come on,” the president said, raising eyebrows as he invited them to stand close to him for the remainder of the event.
The remark quickly circulated online, with critics calling it inappropriate. Commentators and social media users pounced on the comment, with many accusing Biden of making yet another uncomfortable reference to children, a topic that has drawn scrutiny in the past. Many felt that the comment, paired with his invitation for the young girls to join him on stage, was tone-deaf and strange given previous controversies surrounding his questionable behavior around children.
Biden’s critics didn’t miss the chance to connect this latest slip-up to his ongoing struggles with gaffes and awkward moments in public. Conservative outlets have long pointed to such instances as evidence of Biden’s unfitness for office, and Monday’s event was no exception.
While the event was intended to celebrate Gotham FC’s NWSL championship win—the first time the team has visited the White House after their victory—the bizarre comment overshadowed the moment of recognition.
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