At the recent Gridiron Club and Foundation Dinner in Washington, President Joe Biden humorously addressed the topic of presidential fitness, joking that among the two candidates clinching their party's nomination, one was deemed too old and mentally unfit for the job. "The other's me," Biden said according to NPR, poking fun at himself and his Republican rival, Donald Trump.
During his first attendance at the dinner as president, Biden, 81, playfully tackled criticisms about his own mental sharpness by pointing out moments when 77-year-old Trump appeared confused, even suggesting Trump mistakenly thought he was running against Barack Obama.
The event, a longstanding tradition now in its 139th year, saw Biden shifting from humor to serious concerns about democracy's future and the threat posed by Trump's false claims about the 2020 election.
He criticized Trump's stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and underscored the importance of standing firm against authoritarianism, introducing Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Markarova and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as symbols of resilience.
The dinner, known for its bipartisan spirit, was attended by a mix of politicians, Cabinet members, Congress members, governors, ambassadors, and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox also spoke, contributing to the evening's blend of humor and policy.
Closing his speech, Biden highlighted the essential role of a free press in democracy, acknowledging the efforts to bring home journalists detained abroad and emphasizing, "We need you."
