On Friday, Joe Biden held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland, where he utilized a cheat sheet to navigate through the discussion.
During the meeting, Biden made attempts at humor by referencing his Irish heritage, reciting a supposed saying from his grandfather, Finnegan. However, his reliance on pre-written notes became apparent as he read directly from them.
Irish PM Varadkar addressed reporters regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, advocating for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies and the release of hostages. Biden expressed his agreement with Varadkar’s stance.
Shortly after, Biden’s handlers ushered reporters out of the Oval Office, prompting speculation about the president’s reliance on prepared materials during interactions.
A closer inspection of Biden’s cheat sheet revealed a photograph of the Irish Prime Minister, despite Varadkar being present beside Biden during the meeting.
These incidents have led to criticism of Biden’s perceived dependence on scripted materials, raising questions about his ability to function effectively without them.
BIDEN (reading directly from pre-written notes):
"I know there are all kinds of old Irish sayings, but my Grandfather Finnegan used to say, 'May the hinge of our friendship never grow rusty.'" pic.twitter.com/HxAXIpisXN
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 15, 2024
