Biden: ‘My son lost his life in the 9/11 attacks’
In a recent speech that left even seasoned fact-checkers scratching their heads, President Joe Biden made a startling claim, stating, “My son Beau lost his life in the 9/11 attacks.” The statement came as a surprise to many, as Beau Biden, the President’s son, tragically passed away from brain cancer in 2015, and the 9/11 attacks occurred in 2001.
The President’s assertion was met with a mixture of confusion, disbelief, and a flurry of fact-checking efforts from journalists and historians. While it’s not uncommon for politicians to occasionally mix up dates or details in their speeches, this particular slip seemed to be of a different magnitude.
In a press conference held shortly after the speech, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki attempted to clarify the President’s statement. “What the President meant to convey,” she explained, “is that the loss of his son Beau was a deeply personal tragedy, much like the collective tragedy of the 9/11 attacks. It’s a metaphorical connection, you see.”
Psaki’s attempt to explain away the statement only seemed to raise more questions, with some wondering if the President’s teleprompter had experienced a glitch or if he had momentarily entered a parallel universe where historical events had been rearranged.
Political opponents wasted no time seizing on the President’s gaffe. Former President Donald Trump tweeted, “Biden can’t even get basic facts right. Sad! #911 #BeauBiden #FactCheck.”
Meanwhile, internet memes and satirical cartoons began circulating, depicting President Biden telling various tall tales, such as “I fought in the Battle of Gettysburg” and “I was the real inspiration for the Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude.'”
Despite the President’s statement causing a temporary frenzy on social media, experts predict that it will soon be overshadowed by the next headline-grabbing political gaffe, leaving Americans to wonder what historical event might be next on the President’s list of personal experiences.