President Joe Biden once again sent palms to foreheads with an ill-timed joke that left critics baffled.
During remarks directed at the 50 African leaders who had gathered at the DC convention center, Biden tried to let loose and get some laughs.
“I’m grateful that all of you have made the journey to Washington for this summit, and I’m eager to visit your continent,” he said. “As I told some of you — you invited me to your countries. I said, ‘Be careful what you wish for because I may show up.’ The poor relatives always show up. The wealthy ones never show up. The poor come and they eat your food and stay longer than they should.”
“Well, I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in your home countries,” he added.
Watch:
BIDEN TO AFRICAN LEADERS: “I may show up. The poor relatives always show up. The wealthy ones never show up. The poor come and they eat your food — stay longer than they should.” pic.twitter.com/jjQOnjlNmO
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 15, 2022
Biden is perhaps best known for his self-deprecating humor and has frequently referred to himself as a “poor relative” who often overstays his welcome. While this joke might get laughs in America, it may experience less success when directed at leaders of an area famous for its food insecurity.
Hours after the remark, Biden commented on the “global food crisis” the world is experiencing.
“We’re facing a global food crisis, and nowhere is it felt more keenly than on the African continent. Last year, nearly 120 million people in Africa faced acute food insecurity and only halfway through 2022 as drought struck and the food costs soared… the number increased to 140 million people,” he noted.
Perhaps not the best time to show up and eat people out of house and home, then?
Social media weighed in:
— ⛄Tracy⛄ (@TracyEllen064) December 15, 2022
What does this even mean?
— Magi (@Magiholic_) December 15, 2022
He is a real life SNL skit….
— Scotty V. (@vdaddy1969) December 15, 2022
I bet Africa is regretting this.
— Charles “Chaplain” Ratcliff (@Charlesrat74) December 15, 2022
It never ceases to amaze me how often he says the quiet parts out loud.
Fascinating.
— Entropy (@Crypt0Entropy) December 15, 2022
wtf pic.twitter.com/D8i3YwkefU
— Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (@Lagartija_Nix) December 15, 2022
— Matey (@wowMatey) December 15, 2022
81 million votes???????????????????????????????
— MatthewJshow (@MatthewJshow) December 15, 2022
The strategist expounding on his wisdom yet again. pic.twitter.com/rPB9cdPvOC
— -^v-Liberty-^v (@_Ambassel) December 15, 2022
Joe is that rich uncle, the one is always rumbling and not saying much…
— kiri (@that_bloke_kiri) December 16, 2022
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