It’s no secret that Democratic President Joe Biden is pretty bad at, well, just about everything. In particular, he’s achieved near-star power at messing up his lines, jumbling his words, and even lying. Yet, it’s still surprising that he messed up one of the most famous lines in all of history.
It happened on Wednesday during remarks made while welcoming Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the White House.
Naturally, when hosting foreign leaders, the goal is always to put your best foot forward and impress. Perhaps the White House should have let someone else, just about anyone but Biden, do the honors.
As usual, things started out ok. While speaking a bit haltingly, the octogenarian did get most of his words right. He even seemed to be mostly awake and prepared, a rare thing for him these days. He driveled on about how it was an honor to host Australia, a long-time friend, noting that the alliance has been marked with “imagination, ingenuity and innovation.”
But then he tried to use a famous Neil Armstrong quote. You know the one I’m talking about. As I mentioned before, it’s got to be one of the most widely-known quotes in all of history.
And yet, Biden didn’t get it quite right.
“Nearly 55 years ago, American astronauts took humanity’s first step on the moon. They sent a message forever etched in history. Quote, ‘That’s one small step for man and one giant step for mankind.”
Now, to be clear, Biden still got the basic point across here. It’s not like he forgot the punchline or anything, at least not this time.
He just messed up a word or two, substituting his own for the right ones.
We all know the actual quote is, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
As I said, the main idea is still there, but… How do you mess up a quote that is, as Biden himself said, etched in history? And in front of a foreign leader, to boot?
It’s ridiculous and embarrassing, to be sure.
