President Joe Biden Faces Backlash Over 9/11 Remarks
President Joe Biden has come under intense scrutiny following his recent remarks about his whereabouts the day after the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks. On the 22nd anniversary of the event, Biden, during a speech in Alaska, claimed he was at Ground Zero in New York the day following the attacks. However, several fact-checkers and critics were quick to point out that Biden was in Washington, D.C., attending a Senate session on September 12, 2001.
The Republican National Committee took to Twitter to correct the President's statement, noting that Biden, who represented Delaware in the Senate from 1973 to 2009, was in the nation's capital on that day. Former Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, expressed his dismay, tweeting, "@JoeBiden even lies about 9/11. He is a disgrace."
Social media platforms were abuzz with reactions to Biden's statement. One user commented, "Joe Biden just completely lied about being at Ground Zero the day after 9/11. He was in D.C. The Senate convened on 9/12/01 to condemn the attack." Another user added a touch of sarcasm, stating, "Never forget...and then he immediately forgets where he was."
Adding to the controversy was Biden's decision to visit troops in Alaska on the anniversary of the attacks, rather than attending the 9/11 memorial in New York. This made him the first president since the 2001 attacks to not visit the memorial site on its anniversary, a move that drew criticism from various quarters.
Kari Lake, a Republican politician, criticized Biden's track record of statements, suggesting that the President's "famous 'empathy' is nothing more than a series of lies, plagiarism, and grotesque distortions of his past." Lake also highlighted that Donald Trump, a potential rival for the 2024 presidential election, was in Manhattan following the attacks, contrasting it with Biden's actual location.
Internet personality Joey Mannarino delivered one of the harshest critiques, labeling Biden as an "egregious liar." He emphasized the gravity of the President's misstatement by pointing out that even former President George W. Bush didn't visit Ground Zero until September 14, 2001. Mannarino described Biden's remarks as a "complete insult to the survivors and families of those who died there."
The 9/11 attacks remain a deeply sensitive and emotional topic for many Americans, and any misrepresentation or inaccuracy related to it can evoke strong reactions. As the nation continues to heal and remember the tragic events of that day, it's evident that accuracy and sensitivity in public discourse are paramount.