President Joe Biden stirred significant controversy on Thursday with a statement that many found “disgusting” while discussing the Los Angeles wildfires. The wildfires themselves have already been a source of distress for residents, causing widespread damage and displacing countless families. Then Biden came along with tone deaf puns in an attempt to be funny.
After speaking on the government’s disaster response, Biden then yielded the floor to Vice President Kamala Harris with the following comment: “Madam Vice President, I know you’re directly affected. So you fire away, no pun intended.”
The backlash online ignited as quickly as the fires. “WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DUDE,” asked Redstate writer Bonchie.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DUDE https://t.co/tpr52H36YO
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 9, 2025
“Is the empathy in the room with you now?” Kevin McMahon, Townhall.com’s video editor chimed in.
Is the empathy in the room with you now? https://t.co/RtYvZbrNN8 pic.twitter.com/5lEZtk6hU1
— Kevin McMahon (@Kevin__McMahon) January 9, 2025
Townhall columnist Derek Hunter said, “Most of the time, @JoeBiden is just a mean, vindictive person… but in this case, I think this can be blamed on his senility.”
"Fire away. No pun intended."
Most of the time, @JoeBiden is just a mean, vindictive person (has been his whole career), but in this case I think this can be blamed on his senility. pic.twitter.com/aciXx7vZxk— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) January 9, 2025
However, even Harris was taken aback by the comment. “Even Kamala at this point is like ‘You serious dude?’” noted Stephen Miller of The Spectator.
Even Kamala at this point is like "You serious dude?" https://t.co/29he5evi7G
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 9, 2025
What do you think? Is this something that can be brushed under the rug as Biden being old and senile? Or was this a tone deaf, malicious joke?