Biden whips out tone-deaf wisecrack on African leaders: ‘The poor relatives always show up’

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.

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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:

Sierra Marlee

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